Ustekinumab therapy changes the transcriptional activity pattern of TGF-β1–3 genes

INTRODUCTION: One of the examples of genes whose expression can be altered by the action of ustekinumab is TGF-β. It is a pleiotropic cytokine whose activity affects psoriatic changes and the state of homeostasis of the whole organism. AIM: To evaluate the effect of ustekinumab on the transcriptional activity of TGF-β family genes in patients with psoriatic arthritis and to check whether the results obtained can be helpful in monitoring the progress of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From total PBMCs obtained from peripheral blood of 14 patients with psoriatic arthritis, total RNA was isolated. The expression level of the TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 genes was determined by RT-qPCR in real time. RESULTS: In all the analysed samples, the presence of mRNA of three TGF-β isoforms was quantitated in each week of therapy. TGF-β3 and the smallest TGF-β2 showed the highest expression. Statistically significant correlations were observed in the amount of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3/µg mRNA RNA, TGF-β2 and TGF-β2/µg RNA and TGF-β3 and TGF-β3/µg RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab influences the transcriptional activity of TGF-β genes, and the changes caused have a bearing on the patient’s health.