The researchers found that both the GM-CSF-producing CD4 T cells, as well as the GM-CSF+ Th17 cells, expressed high levels of GPR65. Genome-wide association studies of spondyloarthritis had previously identified a link between the expression of this proton-sensing receptor and disease. Additionally, research has shown GPR65 to play a role in the pathogenicity of murine inflammatory disease models. Thus, patients with spondyloarthritis appear to have globally enhanced type 17 immunity, as well as multiple lymphocyte populations, that produce GM-CSF. The researchers conclude by suggesting that anti-GM-CSF be explored in clinical trials as a treatment for spondyloarthritis.
Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.
Reference
- Al-Mossawi MH, Chen L, Fang H, et al. Unique transcriptome signatures and GM-CSF expression in lymphocytes from patients with spondyloarthritis. Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 15;8(1):1510. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01771-2.
