[Correlation between circRNA0003353 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Immune Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Damp Heat Obstruction Syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the expression of circRNA 0003353 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with dampness heat obstruction syndrome and to examine its effect on inflammatory response of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Methods: The PBMCs and serum samples of 55 RA patients with dampness heat obstruction syndrome and 30 healthy volunteers were collected. The expression of circRNA 0003353 and its correlation with clinical indexes were examined. The circRNA 0003353 overexpression plasmid and siRNA were constructed and transfected into RA-FLS cell line. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of circRNA 0003353 mRNA. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-17 were examined by ELISA. The expressions of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), p-JAK2, signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and p-STAT3 were exmained by Western blot. CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability. Cell migration was assessed with Transwell migration assay. Results: <0.05). Conclusion: The expression of circRNA 0003353 is up-regulated in RA patients with damp heat obstruction syndrome, and it is involved in the pathogenesis of RA by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and promoting the inflammatory response.