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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
24877201 Cardiovascular risk factors in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome: United Kingdom prim 2014 May OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors using established definitions in a large cohort of clinically well-characterized primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients and to compare them to healthy controls. METHODS: Data on cardiovascular risk factors in primary SS patients and controls were collected prospectively using a standardized pro forma. Cardiovascular risk factors were defined according to established definitions. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the primary SS group was determined and compared to that in the control group. RESULTS: Primary SS patients had a higher prevalence of hypertension (28–50% versus 15.5–25.6%; P < 0.01) and hypertriglyceridemia (21% versus 9.5%; P = 0.002) than age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Furthermore, a significant percentage (56%) of hypertensive patients expected to be on antihypertensive treatment according to best practice was not receiving it. CONCLUSION: Primary SS patients are more than 2 times more likely to experience hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia than age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Additionally, hypertension is underdiagnosed and suboptimally treated in primary SS.
24657515 Genome-wide association studies in Sjögren's syndrome: What do the genes tell us about di 2014 Jul The pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) likely involves complex interactions between genes and the environment. While the candidate gene approach has been previously used to identify several genes associated with SS, two recent large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated many more loci as genetic risk factors. Of particular relevance, was the significant association of SS with additional immune-related genes including IL12A, BLK, and CXCR5. GWAS has also uncovered other loci and suggestive gene associations in SS, but none are related to genes encoding salivary or lacrimal components, secretion machinery and neuronal proteins involved in innervations of the glands, respectively. In this review, we discuss these genetic findings with particular attention paid to the genes identified, the strength of associations, and how the SS-associated genes compare to what has been discovered previously in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We also summarize the potential impact of these associated gene products on NFκB and immune pathways and describe how this new information might be integrated further for identifying clinical subsets and understanding the pathogenesis of SS.
23139233 Risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in primary Sjögren's syndrome: a population-based study. 2013 May OBJECTIVE: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), but the reported prevalence and risk vary considerably. The objective of this study was to determine the risk of NHL in a well-defined population-based primary SS cohort in Norway. METHODS: The authors examined all patients fulfilling the American-European Consensus Group criteria for primary SS from 2 Norwegian counties and compared the data to the Cancer Registry of Norway to identify the primary SS patients who had lymphoma. In addition, lymphoma patient files from the same period were reviewed for undiagnosed primary SS to ensure the quality of registry data. RESULTS: As of July 1, 2009, 443 living subjects with primary SS were identified in an area with 896,840 inhabitants, which is 18.6% of the total population of Norway. Seven cases of NHL (1.6%) were found during a total followup of 3,813 person-years, resulting in a standardized incidence ratio of 9.0 (95% confidence interval 7.1-26.3) for NHL in primary SS patients. CONCLUSION: The risk of NHL in patients with primary SS in Norway is increased 9 times compared with the general population. This is in accordance with recent studies, and the quality and completeness of the registries and strict use of diagnostic criteria support the validity of the results.
24953923 Atrial septal defect coexistent with Sjögren's syndrome. 2014 Jun Pulmonary hypertension is frequently associated with atrial septal defect and various connective tissue disorders. This case describes a 74-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of heart failure and concomitant involvement of salivary glands and keratoconjunctivitis. An echocardiogram demonstrated ostium secundum atrial septal defect with left to right shunt and severe pulmonary hypertension. Laboratory investigations confirmed the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) with positive anti-nuclear factor and centromere SS-A/Ro pattern. Anti-Ro (SS-A) was found positive. Atrial septal defect was closed through transcatheter route with significant improvement in clinical outcome. This case report suggests a possible association of atrial septal defect with primary Sjögren's syndrome in an adult patient.
24423911 [Clinical characteristics of primary biliary cirrhosis complicating Sjögren syndrome]. 2013 Nov 19 OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with Sjögren syndrome (SS) so as to seek diagnostic rationales. METHODS: Sixty-four PBC patients, 57 SS patients and 93 PBC with SS patients were recruited from Peking Union College Hospital between 2006 and 2009. And their clinical, laboratory and pathological data were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients of PBC with SS (53 ± 10) years were older than those of PBC (50 ± 11) years (P < 0.05) or SS (48 ± 14) years (P < 0.05) ; Comparing PBC with SS and SS, fever was more in SS (P < 0.05) ;compare with PBC, the positive rates of anti-centromere antibody (ACA) (P < 0.05) and anti-SSA antibody (P < 0.05) increased obviously in PBC with SS. Comparing with SS, the positive rate of anti-SSA antibody (P < 0.05) and anti-SSB antibody (P < 0.05) were apparently increased obviously in PBC with SS. CONCLUSION: PBC with SS is a special subgroup with the characteristic both PBC and SS. But it can not differentiate from PBC or SS, Anti-SSA antibody and ACA are helpful for diagnosis of PBC with SS.
24026249 Anti-SSA Ro52/Ro60 antibody testing by immunodot could help the diagnosis of Sjogren's syn 2013 Dec OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of anti-Ro52/60 antibodies by immunodot in patients with suspected SS. METHODS: All patients between 2008 and 2012 with suspected SS without anti-SSA/SSB antibodies by ELISA and who had a determination of anti-SSA (Ro52/Ro60) antibodies by immunodot (Euroimmun, Germany) were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients (median age 62 years; males 35 cases) were included. Forty-five patients had associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). American-European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria for SS were fulfilled in 10 patients (12%) with a positive salivary gland biopsy, and among them 2 patients had anti-Ro52 antibodies by dot (20%). Among 74 patients with a negative salivary gland biopsy, 16 (22%) had anti-Ro52/60 antibodies and 10 (14%) fulfilled AECG criteria when including Ro52/60 antibodies. A comparison of patients with and without anti-Ro52/60 antibodies revealed no differences, except gamma globulin levels and more frequent steroid use in patients with anti-Ro52/60 antibodies (P < 0.05). In 45 patients with ILD and dry eye/mouth syndrome, 10 (22%) had positive anti-Ro52/60 antibodies. In these patients 2 (4%) fulfilled AECG criteria without anti-Ro52/60 antibodies vs 4 (8%) patients if anti-Ro52/60 antibodies were included. CONCLUSION: In patients with dry eye/mouth syndrome without anti-SSA/SSB antibodies by ELISA, the detection of anti-Ro52/Ro60 antibodies by dot could help in the diagnosis of SS. In patients with ILD, the lower frequency of a Chisholm score ≥3 enhances the interest of anti-Ro52/Ro60 screening.
24812291 Inadequate corticosterone levels relative to arthritic inflammation are accompanied by alt 2015 Oct OBJECTIVES: In rheumatoid arthritis, inadequate cortisol secretion was observed relative to inflammation, but reasons are unknown. Human adrenal glands cannot be investigated due to ethical reasons. Thus, a model of arthritis was studied to test inadequate glucocorticoid secretion and adrenocortical alterations. METHODS: Arthritis in DA rats was induced by collagen type II. Plasma hormone (cytokine) levels were determined by ELISA or radioimmunoassay (Luminex). Adrenocortical cells were investigated making use of in vitro culture, immunohistochemistry and imaging techniques, cholesterol uptake studies and electron microscopical morphological analyses of adrenocortical lipid droplets and mitochondria. RESULTS: During the course of arthritis, corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were only elevated on day 1 after immunisation but were in the normal range from day 5 to 55. Serum levels of corticosterone relative to IL-1β were markedly lower in arthritis than in controls. IL-1β inhibited ACTH-stimulated corticosterone secretion from adrenocortical cells in vitro. Cholesterol uptake receptor SR-BI protein was unchanged. Number of altered swollen and cavitated mitochondria increased during the course of arthritis (maximum on day 55), and this was correlated to reduced breakdown of lipid droplets and increased Sudan III-positive lipid accumulation from day 28 to 55. Reduced lipid breakdown measured as a high number of homogenous lipid droplets negatively correlated with plasma corticosterone (p=0.022). Adrenocortical tissue density of normal mitochondria positively correlated with serum corticosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study on inadequate adrenal glucocorticoid secretion in arthritis demonstrated altered mitochondria and altered lipid breakdown paralleled by low corticosterone levels in relation to inflammation. IL-1β is a key cytokine.
24030041 Sjogren's syndrome with acute cerebellar ataxia and massive lymphadenopathy : a case repor 2013 Jun PURPOSE: Common etiologies of acute acquired cerebellar ataxia include cerebrovascular diseases, toxin or drugs, infections/para-infections, and autoimmune diseases. It is a rare manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome, which is a common autoimmune disease but is often missed as a differential diagnosis. CASE REPORT: This is a report of a patient with acute onset cerebellar ataxia for one month. She also had massive neck lymphadenopathy. After a series of studies and the exclusion of other common causes of acute cerebellar ataxia, she was diagnosed as having Sjögren's syndrome. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome have higher risk for lymphoma, which leads to poorer prognosis. After lymph node biopsy, the patient was proven to have sinus histiocytosis, which is another rare finding in Sjögren's syndrome. DISCUSSION: For patients with acute acquired cerebellar ataxia, immune-mediated cerebellar ataxia should be an important differential diagnosis aside from the more common causes like stroke or drugs.
23649850 Punctal plugs versus artificial tears for treating primary Sjögren's syndrome with kerato 2013 Oct To compare the effects of treatment with punctal plugs versus artificial tears on visual function for primary Sjögren's syndrome with dry eye. Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome were enrolled and were allocated randomly into artificial tears (AT) group and punctal plugs (PP) group. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used, and fluorescent staining for tear film break-up time (BUT), the Schirmer test I (STI) and contrast sensitivity was performed before treatment and was repeated 3 months after treatment. A follow-up of 3 months was achieved in 40 eyes of 40 patients, including 19 eyes in artificial tears group and 21 eyes in punctal plugs group. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the OSDI scores (AT: 52.6 ± 5.7, 15.9 ± 4.2; PP: 55.8 ± 4.9, 15.1 ± 4.2), corneal fluorescein staining scores (AT: 2.60 ± 1.76, 0.30 ± 0.57; PP: 1.91 ± 1.60, 0.09 ± 0.29), STI (AT: 3.85 ± 2.03, 8.95 ± 2.72; PP: 3.36 ± 1.62, 11.41 ± 2.65), and BUT (AT: 2.60 ± 1.39, 6.00 ± 1.81; PP: 2.27 ± 1.12, 7.82 ± 1.84) after treatment compared to those of pre-treatment. The values of STI (AT: 5.10 ± 1.80; PP: 8.05 ± 1.53) and BUT (AT: 3.40 ± 1.31; PP: 5.68 ± 1.13) in punctal plugs group were significantly more improved than those in the artificial tears group. The medium- and high-level frequencies contrast sensitivities were greatly improved in simulated daylight, night, and glare disability conditions after treatment with artificial tears and punctal plugs. However, the changes in contrast sensitivity did not significantly differ between groups. Both artificial tears and punctal plugs relieved dry eye symptoms, repaired corneal lesions, enhanced tear film stability, and improved contrast sensitivity. Punctal plugs could improve tear film stability and elongate the BUT better than artificial tears.
24774584 Sjögren's syndrome: another facet of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adju 2014 Jun Recently, a new syndrome, namely the "Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants" (ASIA) has been defined. In this syndrome different conditions characterized by common signs and symptoms and induced by the presence of an adjuvant are included. The adjuvant is a substance capable of boosting the immune response and of acting as a trigger in the development of autoimmune diseases. Post-vaccination autoimmune phenomena represent a major issue of ASIA. Indeed, despite vaccines represent a mainstay in the improvement of human health, several of these have been implicated as a potential trigger for autoimmune diseases. Sjogren's Syndrome (SjS) is a systemic chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of an inflammatory involvement of exocrine glands accompanied by systemic manifestations. Own to the straight association between infectious agents exposure (mainly viruses) and sicca syndrome development, the possible link between vaccine and SjS is not surprising. Indeed, a few cases of SjS following vaccine delivery have been reported. At the same extent, the induction of SjS following silicone exposure has been described too. Thus, the aim of this review was to focus on SjS and its possible development following vaccine or silicone exposure in order to define another possible facet of the ASIA syndrome.
25524203 Interferon γ -induced chemokines in psoriatic arthritis. 2014 Interferon γ-inducible protein (IP-10) chemokine is implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It was shown that chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR) 3 and CXCR4 were expressed by both blood-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and pDCs isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and PsA synovial fluid (SF) and that IP-10, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-11, and CXCL-12 present in RA and PA SF stimulated chemotaxis of blood-derived pDCs. High circulating levels of IP-10 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 2 have been found in PsA patients, with a T helper cells (Th) 1 immune predominance in the early phase of the disease. Moreover a decline of IP-10 levels has been observed in long lasting PsA, with a significant increase of the CCL2/IP-10 ratio, suggesting a shift from Th1 to Th2 immune response in long duration PsA. IP-10 levels in PsA patients are significantly higher in presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. IP-10 has been suggested to be a good marker to monitor the activity or progression of PsA. Attempts have been made to modulate or inhibit the production of IP-10 in PsA in order to modify the course of the disease.
23970991 A Rare Side Effect due to TNF-Alpha Blocking Agent: Acute Pleuropericarditis with Adalimum 2013 Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonism is an important treatment strategy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Adalimumab is one of the well-known tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents. There are several side effects reported in patients with adalimumab therapy. Cardiac side effects of adalimumab are rare. Only a few cardiac side effects were reported. A 61-year-old man treated with adalimumab for the last 6 months due to psoriatic arthritis presented with typically acute pleuropericarditis. Chest X-ray and echocardiography demonstrated marked pericardial effusion. Patient was successfully evaluated for the etiology of acute pleuro-pericarditis. Every etiology was excluded except the usage of adalimumab. Adalimumab was discontinued, and patient was treated with 1200 mg of ibuprofen daily. Control chest X-ray and echocardiography after three weeks demonstrated complete resolution of both pleural and pericardial effusions. This case clearly demonstrated the acute onset of pericarditis with adalimumab usage. Acute pericarditis and pericardial effusion should be kept in mind in patients with adalimumab treatment.
24688619 The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral spondy 2014 In recent years a dynamic development of ultrasound technology has been observed. Consequently, ultrasound is increasingly being utilized in rheumatology. With the introduction of high-frequency (up to 18 MHz) linear probes, sensitive Doppler techniques, harmonic imaging options and cross beams, ultrasound is used in the initial diagnosis of rheumatic diseases, monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment and confirmation of remission. Ultrasound cannot identify specific rheumatic diseases, but it does allow for an evaluation of the type of pathology, including an assessment of disease progression and its location. These irregularities include: synovial pathologies, effusion, tendon, cartilage and bone lesions, tendon and ligament pathology at the site of their insertion (enthesopathies). This publication discusses the wide spectrum of changes in peripheral joints and entheses observed on ultrasound. Special consideration is given to the ultrasound, which besides an MRI is a leading diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of early stages of the disease and monitoring of disease progression.
24986573 Multiple halo naevi associated with tocilizumab. 2014 Aug Tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin (IL)-6 receptor, is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We describe a case of multiple halo naevi occurring in a patient with a history of JIA treated with tocilizumab. IL-6 is a key cytokine in the setting of cancer through its effects on angiogenesis and inhibition of adaptive anti-tumour immunity. IL-6 also plays a role in melanocyte function, and increased levels have been noted in vitiligo skin, where it is a paracrine inhibitor of melanocytes. Tocilizumab may therefore lead to the development of halo naevi secondary to subsequent activation of adaptive immunity. Alternatively, as tocilizumab results in increased serum IL-6 levels, the epidermal cytokine profile is altered. Increased levels of IL-6 may therefore have a direct inhibitory effect on melanocytes, where access by tocilizumab may be limited due to differential size difference.
23754310 Incomplete B cell tolerance to cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in mice. 2013 Sep OBJECTIVE: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a major noncollagenous component of cartilage and is used as a biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis and experimental arthritis. Injection of COMP leads to severe inflammatory joint disease, and antibodies play a critical role in mediating arthritis. The arthritogenicity of COMP might be due to the lack of self tolerance. This study was undertaken to determine the status of COMP-specific B cell tolerance using COMP-deficient mice. METHODS: Arthritis development and antibody responses were compared between COMP-sufficient and COMP-deficient littermates after immunization with rat COMP. Serum anti-COMP antibody levels were measured using a panel of recombinant mouse COMP proteins, and antibody-secreting cells were enumerated by enzyme-linked immunospot assays. A novel sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to assess COMP molecules in serum. RESULTS: COMP-sufficient mice, but not COMP-deficient mice, developed severe arthritis following immunization with rat COMP. However, anti-COMP antibody titers to native COMP and recombinant protein domains covering the entire mouse COMP sequence, except the less immunodominant type 3 repeat domains, were decreased in COMP-sufficient mice compared to COMP-deficient mice. In addition, COMP-sufficient mice had fewer B cells secreting COMP-reactive antibodies. Detectable levels of full-length COMP in arthritic COMP-sufficient B10.Q NCF-1(*/*) and healthy mice suggested systemic availability of COMP to the immune system. CONCLUSION: The lack of arthritis, together with high levels of COMP-specific antibodies, in COMP-deficient mice indicates that susceptibility to arthritis is COMP specific and that endogenous expression of COMP in wild-type mice tolerizes B cells in vivo.
24558628 Adalimumab (TNF α Inhibitor) Therapy Exacerbates IgA Glomerulonephritis Acute Renal Injur 2013 Adalimumab (Humira) is a tumour necrosis factor α (TNF α ) inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Sullivan and Preda (2009), Klinkhoff (2004), and Medicare Australia). Use of TNF α inhibitors is associated with the induction of autoimmunity (systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, and sarcoidosis or sarcoid-like granulomas) (Ramos-Casals et al. (2010)). We report a patient with extensive psoriasis presenting with renal failure and seropositive lupus markers without classical lupus nephritis after 18 months treatment with adalimumab. He has renal biopsy proven IgA nephritis instead. Renal biopsy is the key diagnostic tool in patients presenting with adalimumab induced nephritis and renal failure. He made a remarkable recovery after adalimumab cessation and steroid treatment. To our knowledge, this is a unique case of a psoriasis patient presenting with seropositive lupus markers without classical lupus nephritis renal failure and had renal biopsy proven IgA glomerulonephritis after receiving adalimumab.
23709258 Osteoimmunology and bone homeostasis: relevance to spondyloarthritis. 2013 Jul The seronegative spondyloarthopathies (SpA) share certain common articular and peri-articular features that differ from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. These include the tendency of the SpAs to involve the axial skeleton in addition to the diarthrodial joints, and the prominent involvement of the extra-articular entheses (sites of ligamentous and tendon insertion), which are not common sites of primary pathology in RA and other inflammatory arthropathies. The differential anatomic sites of bone pathology in the SpAs in comparison to the other forms of arthritis suggest that the underlying pathogenic processes and cellular and molecular mechanisms that account for the peri-articular bone pathology involve different underlying disease mechanisms. This review will highlight the molecular and cellular processes that are involved in the pathogenesis of the skeletal pathology in the SpAs, and provide evidence that many of the factors involved in regulation of bone cell function exhibit potent immune-regulatory activity, providing support for the general concept of osteoimmunology.
25315121 [Endoprosthetic treatment of the ankle]. 2014 Nov BACKGROUND: Chronic polyarthritis is the second most common cause regarding the etiology of upper ankle osteoarthritis after posttraumatic degenerative changes. Patient mobility is limited by this painful disease. Besides conservative treatment options, replacement of the upper ankle joint is an operative therapeutic option in eligible candidates which provides very good results. OBJECTIVES: Besides epidemiological data, clinic presentation, diagnostic tools, treatment options and management of postoperative complications for patients with ankle osteoarthritis, this article presents the results of midterm outcome after total ankle replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective results of 44 patients after total ankle arthroplasty are presented. RESULTS: After an average follow-up of 53 months (range 20-98 months) the majority of results were good or excellent with respect to pain relief. CONCLUSION: Total ankle replacement is a good option for treating osteoarthritis of the ankle joint in rheumatoid arthritis when attention is paid to the eligibility of the patients.
24766794 Implant survival after total elbow arthroplasty: a retrospective study of 324 procedures p 2014 Jun BACKGROUND: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an established treatment for late-stage arthritis of the elbow. Indications have expanded to osteoarthritis and nonunion in distal humeral fractures. Information on implant survival and risk factors for revision is still sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate implant survival and risk factors for revision of TEAs inserted in patients in the eastern part of Denmark in the period from 1980 until 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Danish National Patient Register provided personal identification numbers for patients who underwent TEA procedures from 1980 until 2008. On the basis of a review of medical reports and linkage to the National Patient Register, we calculated revision rates and evaluated potential risk factors for revision, including, age, sex, period, indication for TEA, and implant design. RESULTS: We evaluated 324 primary TEA procedures in 234 patients at a mean follow-up of 8.7 years (range, 0-27 years). The overall 5-year survival was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88%-94%), and 10-year survival was 81% (95% CI, 76%-86%). TEAs performed with the unlinked design had a relative risk of revision of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1-3.2) compared with the linked design. Fracture sequelae was associated with a relative risk of revision of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.05-3.45). CONCLUSIONS: We found acceptable implant survival rates after 5 and 10 years, with a higher revision rate for the unlinked design and primary TEA due to fracture sequelae. Patient-related outcome measures should be included in future studies for further elaboration of the outcomes after TEA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective cohort design, treatment study.
24736881 Ginsenoside metabolite compound k alleviates adjuvant-induced arthritis by suppressing T c 2014 Oct Ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) is the degradation product of ginsenosides in the intestine by bacteria and has many pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory effects. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovial inflammation and articular damage in multiple joints. However, the effect of CK on RA remains unclear. In this study, the effect of CK on adjuvant arthritis (AA) and the underlying mechanisms that focused on T cell activation were investigated. Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA rats. After the onset of arthritis, rats were given CK (10, 40, and 160 mg/kg) or MTX (0.5 mg/kg). To evaluate the severity of arthritis, arthritis index and paw swelling were evaluated every 3 days. Histopathology of joint and spleen were assayed. Subsets of T cells including CD4+CD62L+ (naïve T cells), CD4+CD25+ (activated T cells), and CD4+CD25 + Foxp3+ cells (Treg) and CD25 expression were assayed by flow cytometry. Proliferation of T cell was evaluated by (3)H-TdR. IL-2 level was assayed by ELISA. We found that CK attenuated arthritis index and paw swelling, restored the histopathological change of joint and spleen, downregulated the percentage of activated T cells, and upregulated naïve T cells and Treg cells in spleen. CK significantly suppressed T cell activation (as indicated by T cell proliferation, CD25 expression, and IL-2 production). In conclusion, our results suggest that CK alleviates autoimmune arthritis by suppressing T cell activation.