Proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 and its role in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Laima Leonavičienė, Rūta Bradūnaitė, Vytautas Astrauskas

Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Key words: rheumatoid arthritis, cytokines, interleukin-17.

Summary. This is a review concerning the role of interleukin-17, a proinflammatory cytokine, produced by activated memory CD4⁺ T cells, in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. As interleukin-17 shares properties with IL-1 and TNF-α, it may induce joint inflammation and bone and cartilage destruction. This cytokine is found in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and produced by rheumatoid arthritis synovium. It increases IL-6 production, induces collagen degradation and decreases collagen synthesis by synovium and cartilage and proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage. Interleukin-17 is also able to increase bone destruction and reduce its formation. Blocking of interleukin-17 with specific inhibitors provides a protective inhibition of cartilage and bone degradation.

Correspondence to L. Leonavičienė, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Žygimantų 9, 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: laima.leonaviciene@ekmi.vu.lt

Received 20 March 2003, accepted 9 April 2004