We aimed to assess expression of genes encoding the heterodimeric IL-27 cytokine and constituent subunits of the Il-27 receptor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including in extra-articular, subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. Comparing between nodules and joint synovia, significantly elevated expression of IL27A within nodules, and comparable IL27B expression, identified nodules as a significant source of IL-27 in RA. T-lymphocytes were the main source of IL27RA transcript, and IL27RA expression correlated with a number of plasma cytokines, as well as tissue TNF expression in both nodules and RA synovia. In synovia, correlations between IL27A, IL27RA IL17A and CD21L expression, and significantly elevated expression of the genes encoding IL-27, associated the presence of IL-27 with B cell-dominated synovial inflammation. Impact from nodule derived IL-27 on systemic or synovial inflammation in RA remains unknown and further study of these implications is required. Our study raises questions regarding the appropriate circumstances for the blockade or administration of IL-27 as a potential therapeutic adjunct in RA.

我们旨在评估类风湿关节炎（RA），包括关节外皮下类风湿结节中编码异二聚体IL-27细胞因子和Il-27受体组成亚基的基因的表达。结节与关节滑膜之间的比较，结节内IL27A的表达明显升高以及可比较的IL27B表达，将结节定为RA中IL-27的重要来源。T淋巴细胞是IL27RA转录物的主要来源，IL27RA的表达与多种血浆细胞因子以及结节和RA滑膜组织的TNF表达相关。在滑膜中，IL27A，IL27RA，IL17A和CD21L的表达以及编码IL-27的基因的表达明显升高，将IL-27的存在与以B细胞为主的滑膜炎症相关。结节来源的IL-27对RA全身或滑膜炎症的影响尚不清楚，需要进一步研究这些影响。我们的研究提出了有关将IL-27用作RA潜在治疗辅助剂的适当情况的疑问。