CD36 expression in monocytes and ankylosing spondylitis

Qin Wei; Lian Kai; Guo Qing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.29.020

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease involved in chronic systemic inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 levels increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 can suppress CD36 expression in monocytes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between CD36 expression in monocytes and ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS:A total of 84 newly diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis patients and 111 healthy individuals were included in this study. CD36 expressions in monocytes in ankylosing spondylitis patients and healthy individuals were tested using flow cytometer; meanwhile, biochemistry, immunology, routine blood examination and related inflammatory markers were determined between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Results of baseline data in both groups demonstrated that CD36 fluorescence intensity in monocytes was significantly lower in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01). CD36 fluorescence intensity in monocytes was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor. In addition, CD36 fluorescence intensity in monocytes was negatively correlated with BASDAI score. Logistic regression analysis showed that erythrocyte sedimentation, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor and CD36 fluorescence intensity in monocytes were associated with ankylosing spondylitis, and risk factors for ankylosing spondylitis (P < 0.05). These findings confirm that inflammatory cytokine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis weakened the expression of CD36 in monocytes. There was a remarkable association between low expression of CD36 expression in monocytes and ankylosing spondylitis. CD36 expression of monocytes clinicaly may be considered to be an effective indicator to evaluate inflammation and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.