Objectives: To explore the source of the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23) in joints with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the effects of IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on IL-23 gene expression in RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes and the effect of IL-23 on proinflammatory cytokines.

Methods: Expression of IL-23 p19 in joints was examined by immunohistochemical analysis of patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). The effects of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha on the expression, of IL-23 p19 and IL-12 p35 subunits in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes from RA patients (HFLS-RA) were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR and western blotting assay. Blockade of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) or AP-1 activation was used to verify the involvement of intracellular signal pathways of the induction of p19. IL-23-induced IL-8 and IL-6 productions were determined in HFLS-RA by RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: IL-23 p19 was expressed in the synovium from RA, but not from OA patients. Similar to the protein expression, IL-23 p19 mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR in four of five RA synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC). IL-1beta and TNF-alpha could induce RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes to produce the IL-23 p19 subunit. The effects of IL-1beta were much stronger than TNF-alpha. These responses were observed in both a dose-responsive and time-dependent manner. IL-1beta produced weakly enhanced gene expression of the p35 subunits of IL-12. IL-1beta also promotes the p35 expression, a subunit of IL-12, but weakly. In addition, the NF-kappaB and the AP-1 inhibitors down-regulated the expression of IL-23 p19 mRNA induced by IL-1beta. IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) was of constitutive expression in HFLS-RA. Moreover, IL-23 up-regulated the IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner in HFLS-RA.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that IL-23, produced by mononuclear cells in synovial fluid with RA and HFLS-RA, promotes inflammatory responses in RA by inducing IL-8 and IL-6 production from HFLS. IL-1beta regulates IL-23 p19 expression via NF-kappaB and AP-1 pathways. This report also demonstrates that IL-23 could promote inflammatory responses in HFLS-RA by stimulating IL-8 and IL-6 production.