AB0089 IN VITRO EFFECT OF FASCIOLA HEPATICA EXTRACT ON SYNOVIAL FIBROBLAST OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Synovial fibroblasts (FLS) have an aggressive and invasive profile and play a major role in RA[1]. Available therapeutic options are effective for induction and maintenance of disease remission[2], but not all patients respond to treatment and there is no cure. So new therapeutic options need to be explored. Studies have shown that products secreted by helminths contain components with anti-inflammatory properties[3 4], capable of suppressing Th1 immune response[5] and the production of inflammatory cytokines[6]. One example is the immunomodulating properties[7] of the extract of Fasciola hepatica. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of F. hepatica extract in FLS from RA patients. Methods: Firstly, the cultures of FLS collected from the synovial fluid of RA patients were exposed at different concentration of F. hepatica extract (60μg/mL, 80μg/mL and 100μg/mL) and analyzed after 24h, 48h and 72h by MTT cell proliferation assay. FLS controls were exposed to standard culture medium. The effect of extract was also evaluated through adhesion and wound healing assay, and TNF-α production after IFNg stimulation. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA or T Test and the p Results: F. hepatica extract decreased the cell proliferation of FLS at concentration of 100μg/ml after 48h (83.8% ± 5.0 extract vs 100.0% ± 0.0 control; p Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that extract of F. hepatica is able to reduce the aggressive and invasive profile of FLS. However, further analyses are needed for a better understanding the mechanisms of the effect of F. hepatica extract on FLS and its different components, such as cystatin.