Reduced Serum B7-H3 Levels in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

This study aimed to investigate molecule B7-H3 expression profiles of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the clinical significance of B7-H3 in the pathogenesis of AS. Serum B7-H3 levels were measured by ELISA in patients with AS and healthy controls. The expression of B7-H3 protein and mRNA on CD14+ monocytes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum levels of T cell-associated cytokines were also analyzed. The serum B7-H3 levels in AS patients were significantly lower than in healthy controls. The expression of B7-H3 protein and mRNA on CD14+ monocytes of PBMCs and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17A in AS patients were significantly higher than in controls. The reduced serum B7-H3 level was highly negatively correlated with AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), TNF-α, and IL-17A. Upregulated B7-H3 protein may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS by binding its receptor on T cells.