Interleukin-4-induced transcription of immunoglobulin genes in CD8+ T cells: implications for rheumatoid arthritis
7 affiliations
- 1The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
- 2Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
- 3Research Unit, Research Division, Tanabe Pharma Corp, Yokohama, Japan
- 4Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- 5Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Viet Nam
- 6Graduate School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Medical Creation University, Iwaki, Japan
- 7Department of Molecular Targeted Therapeutics, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Abstract
Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by synovial inflammation and osteoclast-driven bone erosion, leading to joint destruction. T cells play a central role in driving inflammation and contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. This study aims to identify T cell subsets in RA using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology.Methods An in silico analysis of publicly available scRNA-seq datasets was conducted to identify a T cell population enriched in RA synovial tissue. To generate this population in vitro, peripheral blood T cells were stimulated with various cytokines. Gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR, and bulk RNA sequencing was used to define the transcriptomic profile of this population. Proteomic analysis was also performed to characterise its protein expression profile and functional pathways.Results A population of T cells expressing immunoglobulin genes was identified in RA synovial tissue in silico. Among the various cytokines tested, interleukin-4 specifically upregulated immunoglobulin gene expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes, particularly in naive CD8+ T cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed increased osteoclast differentiation but reduced pathways related to osteoclast differentiation regulation, RA and inflammatory responses. In contrast, proteomic analysis showed consistent downregulation of the osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory response pathways.Conclusions These findings suggest a T cell population in RA exhibiting immunoglobulin gene expression at the transcript level and reduced inflammatory and osteoclast-related pathways at the protein level.
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BibTeX
@article{nguyen2026interleukin4induced,
title = {{Interleukin-4-induced transcription of immunoglobulin genes in CD8+ T cells: implications for rheumatoid arthritis}},
author = {Tuan Manh Nguyen and Koshiro Sonomoto and Kaoru Yamagata and Junpei Anan and Yuya Fujita and Zirui Zeng and Ngo Thi Dieu Huong and Ngo Thi Uyen and Le Thi Huyen Trang and Shigeaki Kato and Yoshiya Tanaka and Shingo Nakayamada},
journal = {RMD Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/rmdopen-2026-006988},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2026-006988},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Interleukin-4-induced transcription of immunoglobulin genes in CD8+ T cells: implications for rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Tuan Manh Nguyen
AU - Koshiro Sonomoto
AU - Kaoru Yamagata
AU - Junpei Anan
AU - Yuya Fujita
AU - Zirui Zeng
AU - Ngo Thi Dieu Huong
AU - Ngo Thi Uyen
AU - Le Thi Huyen Trang
AU - Shigeaki Kato
AU - Yoshiya Tanaka
AU - Shingo Nakayamada
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - RMD Open
DO - 10.1136/rmdopen-2026-006988
UR - https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2026-006988
AB - Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by synovial inflammation and osteoclast-driven bone erosion, leading to joint destruction. T cells play a central role in driving inflammation and contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. This study aims to identify T cell subsets in RA using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology.Methods An in silico analysis of publicly available scRNA-seq datasets was conducted to identify a T cell population enriched in RA synovial tissue. To generate this population in vitro, peripheral blood T cells were stimulated with various cytokines. Gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR, and bulk RNA sequencing was used to define the transcriptomic profile of this population. Proteomic analysis was also performed to characterise its protein expression profile and functional pathways.Results A population of T cells expressing immunoglobulin genes was identified in RA synovial tissue in silico. Among the various cytokines tested, interleukin-4 specifically upregulated immunoglobulin gene expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes, particularly in naive CD8+ T cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed increased osteoclast differentiation but reduced pathways related to osteoclast differentiation regulation, RA and inflammatory responses. In contrast, proteomic analysis showed consistent downregulation of the osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory response pathways.Conclusions These findings suggest a T cell population in RA exhibiting immunoglobulin gene expression at the transcript level and reduced inflammatory and osteoclast-related pathways at the protein level.
SN - 2056-5933
ER -