AB0073
MATERNAL COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS AND CO-ADMINISTRATION OF ETANERCEPT CHANGE TNF PROTEIN LEVEL IN PLACENTA AND EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGE IN FETUSES
A. Korobowicz-Markiewicz 1,*F. Burdan 2J. Szumiło 3R. Klepacz 3J. Dudka 3
1Department of Paediatrics Pulmonology and Rheumatology, 2Department of Human Anatomy, 3Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Background: Etanercept interferes with the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and is widely used in various autoimmune diseases. However, its developmental toxicity has not been fully established.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate expression of gene coded TNF on the mRNA and protein level in case of the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) with or without co-administration of the solutable TNF receptor (etanercept).
Methods: Female rats were immunized according to the Trentham’s method. The drug (0.4 and 4.0 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to animals that exhibited one or higher severity score in the visual system for evaluation of CIA rodent model. After the last injection all the females were inseminated and pregnant animals were kept without any xenobiotics until gestational day 21 when cesarean section was performed. Parallel CIA, etanercept-exposed animals without CIA and untreated (sham operated) females were also examined. TNF gen expression was evaluated in placental homogenates using RNase Protection Assays. The TNF protein level was examined by ELISA and immunohistochemically in placenta and epiphyseal cartilages.
Results: Insignificant changes of the gen expression were found among examined groups but the results were highly dependent on the organ weight. Protein level of TNF was significantly decreased in group with CIA treated with etanercept when compared with CIA. However, TNF immunoreactivity and localization of the cytokine immunostainig in placenta and epiphyseal cartilage was similar in all examined groups. Conclusion: Unlike insignificant changes of TNF gen expression, etanercept decreased protein level of cytokine in placental and epiphyseal homogenates without additional changes in its immunoexpression.
Conclusions: Conclusion: Unlike insignificant changes of TNF gen expression, etanercept decreased protein level of cytokine in placental and epiphyseal homogenates without additional changes in its immunoexpression.
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared