Modulations in the Expression of Leukocyte Complement Receptors

(CR1 and CR2) in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rozaleen Dash1*, Uma Kumar2, Maumita Kanjilal2, Basanti Biswal3 and Nibhriti Das1*
1

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, India

2
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine, India
3
Sambalpur University, School of Life Sciences, India

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology.

The complement proteins have been known to play complex roles in the pathogenesis of RA.
The growing importance of complement receptor 1 (CR1) and complement receptor 2 (CR2)
not only in modulation of complement activation at several levels but also in B-cell activation
and immune complex localization, suggests that its expression may have significant effects
on health and disease. We conducted a case-control study to explore the role of Leukocyte
CR1 and CR2 ((L- CR1& L-CR2) in human RA. The L-CR1 and L-CR2 expression in 57
healthy controls and 57 RA patients was evaluated at mRNA levels by RT-PCR. Disease
activity scores (DAS28) were monitored in RA patients using swollen and tender joint counts
and the ESR. The circulating immune complex (CIC) levels were spectrophotometrically
determined and levels of C3 were measured by nephlometry in both controls and patients.
The correlations of L- CR1 and L-CR2 expression with clinical parameters (DAS28, CIC and
C3) were evaluated. The L-CR1 and L-CR2 transcripts declined significantly in patients. A
significant negative correlation of CR1 and significant positive correlation of CR2 transcript
were observed with CIC only in patients. C3 was correlated positively with CR2 transcript in
both patients and controls. In essence, our findings suggest a close relationship of CR1 and
CR2 with the pathophysiology and disease activity of RA. The findings also may have
important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications.
Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Complement Receptor 1(CR1), Complement Receptor 2(CR2), B-cell activation,
Immune complex clearance
Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013.
Presentation Type: Abstract
Topic: Immune-mediated disease pathogenesis
Citation: Dash R, Kumar U, Kanjilal M, Biswal B and Das N (2013). Modulations in the Expression of Leukocyte
Complement Receptors (CR1 and CR2) in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International
Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.00280
Received: 12 Mar 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013.
* Correspondence:
Ms. Rozaleen Dash, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India,
rozaleendash@gmail.com
Prof. Nibhriti Das, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India,
nibhriti@hotmail.com