Immune Netw.  2024 Aug;24(4):e32. 10.4110/in.2024.24.e32.

Low-Dose Radiotherapy Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis by Inducing Apoptosis of Lymphocytes and Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
  • 2Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
  • 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon 51472, Korea
  • 4Department of Radiation Oncology and Institute of Health Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
  • 5Department of Veterinary Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
  • 6Lillehei Heart Institute and Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
  • 7Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
  • 8Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea

Abstract

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has been explored as a treatment option for various inflammatory diseases; however, its application in the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying LDRT-based treatment for RA and standardize it. LDRT reduced the total numbers of immune cells, but increased the apoptotic CD4+ T and B220+ B cells, in the draining lymph nodes of collagen induced arthritis and K/BxN models. In addition, it significantly reduced the severity of various pathological manifestations, including bone destruction, cartilage erosion, and swelling of hind limb ankle. Post-LDRT, the proportion of apoptotic CD4+ T and CD19 + B cells increased significantly in the PBMCs derived from human patients with RA. LDRT showed a similar effect in fibroblast-like synoviocytes as well. In conclusion, we report that LDRT induces apoptosis in immune cells and fibro-blast-like synoviocytes, contributing to attenuation of arthritis.

Keyword

Inflammation; Experimenatal arthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Radiotherapy; Apoptosis; Synoviocytes
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