The pathogenic importance of CCL21 and CCR7 in rheumatoid arthritis

Identification of biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Behçet's disease via mendelian randomization and integrated bioinformatics analyses

Behçet's disease (BD) is a complex autoimmune disorder impacting several organ systems. Although the involvement of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in BD is rare, it can be associated with severe consequences. In the present study, we identified diagnostic biomarkers in patients with BD having AAA. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was initially used to explore the potential causal association between BD and AAA. The Limma package, WGCNA, PPI and machine learning algorithms were employed to identify potential diagnostic genes. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for the nomogram was constructed to ascertain the diagnostic value of AAA in patients with BD. Finally, immune cell infiltration analyses and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were conducted. The MR analysis indicated a suggestive association between BD and the risk of AAA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.0384, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0081-1.0696, p = 0.0126). Three hub genes (CD247, CD2 and CCR7) were identified using the integrated bioinformatics analyses, which were subsequently utilised to construct a nomogram (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.982, 95% CI: 0.944-1.000). Finally, the immune cell infiltration assay revealed that dysregulation immune cells were positively correlated with the three hub genes. Our MR analyses revealed a higher susceptibility of patients with BD to AAA. We used a systematic approach to identify three potential hub genes (CD247, CD2 and CCR7) and developed a nomogram to assist in the diagnosis of AAA among patients with BD. In addition, immune cell infiltration analysis indicated the dysregulation in immune cell proportions.

Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer and galectin-3 levels in adult-onset Still's disease and their association with cytokines

Background

Autoinflammation with cytokine dysregulation may be implicated in the pathophysiology of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD); however, the relationship between galectins and cytokines in patients with active AOSD remains unknown. We aimed to examine the relationship between circulating cytokines/chemokines and galectin-3 (Gal-3) or its ligand, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi), in Japanese patients with AOSD.

Methods

We recruited 44 consecutive patients diagnosed with AOSD according to the Yamaguchi criteria, 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as disease controls, and 27 healthy participants. Serum M2BPGi levels were directly measured using a HISCL M2BPGi reagent kit and an automatic immunoanalyzer (HISCL-5000). Serum Gal-3 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum levels of 69 cytokines were analyzed in patients with AOSD using a multi-suspension cytokine array. We performed a cluster analysis of each cytokine expressed in patients with AOSD to identify specific molecular networks.

Results

Significant increases in the serum concentrations of Gal-3 and M2BPGi were found in the serum of patients with AOSD compared with patients with RA and healthy participants (both p <0.001). There were significant positive correlations between serum Gal-3 levels and AOSD disease activity score (Pouchot score, r=0.66, p <0.001) and serum ferritin levels. However, no significant correlations were observed between serum M2BPGi levels and AOSD disease activity scores (Pouchot score, r = 0.32, p = 0.06) or serum ferritin levels. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between the serum levels of Gal-3 and various inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-18, in patients with AOSD. Immunosuppressive treatment in patients with AOSD significantly reduced serum Gal-3 and M2BPGi levels (p = 0.03 and 0.004, respectively).

Conclusions

Although both Gal-3 and M2BPGi were elevated in patients with AOSD, only Gal-3 was a useful biomarker for predicting disease activity in AOSD. Our findings suggest that circulating Gal-3 reflects the inflammatory component of AOSD, which corresponds to proinflammatory cytokine induction through inflammasome activation cascades.

Analysis of the effect of CCR7 on the microenvironment of mouse oral squamous cell carcinoma by single-cell RNA sequencing technology

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that CCR7, an important inflammatory factor, can promote the proliferation and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but its role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This paper explores the role of CCR7 in the TME of OSCC.

METHODS

In this work, we constructed CCR7 gene knockout mice and OSCC mouse models. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bioinformatics were used to analyze the differences in the OSCC microenvironment between three CCR7 gene knockout mice (KO) and three wild-type mice (WT). Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the expression of key genes in significantly different cell types between the KO and WT groups. An in vitro experiment was used to verify the effect of CCR7 on M2 macrophage polarization.

RESULTS

In the mouse OSCC models, the tumor growth rate in the KO group was significantly lower than that in the WT group. Eight main cell types (including tumor cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, granulocytes, T cells, endothelial cells, monocytes, and B cells) were identified by Seurat analysis. The scRNA-seq results showed that the proportion of tumor cells was lower, but the proportion of inflammatory cells was significantly higher in the KO group than in the WT group. CellPhoneDB analysis results indicated a strong interaction relationship between tumor cells and macrophages, T cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Functional enrichment results indicated that the expression level of the Dusp1 gene in the KO group was generally higher than that in the WT group in various cell types. Macrophage subclustering results indicated that the proportion of M2 macrophages in the KO group was lower than that in the WT group. In vitro experimental results showed that CCR7 can promote M2 macrophage polarization, thus promoting the proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

CCR7 gene knockout can significantly inhibit the growth of mouse oral squamous cell carcinoma by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages.

Progression of retinal choroidal neovascularization by latent human cytomegalovirus infection and immunological signaling among neonatal patients admitted to tertiary care hospital

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a serious condition that affects the retina, causing partial or complete blindness in people of different ages. While CNV is a common occurrence in various chorioretinopathies, research on its occurrence in neonates is limited. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a significant health threat to neonates, with a strong association with retinal angiogenesis. However, there has been limited investigation into HCMV-associated CNV progression. In this article, we extensively studied the expression of different inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during latent HCMV-associated retinal neovascularization. Our research found that HCMV-induced CNV progression was significantly prominent in the presence of AT2R-dependent angiogenesis (p < 0.001), whereas in the absence of HCMV, AT1R-dependent CCL-5-mediated angiogenesis was documented. We also observed significant increases in CCL-19, CCL-21 chemokine responses, followed by CCR-7 chemokine receptor activation (p < 0.001) in HCMV-induced CNV patients compared to HCMV non-induced CNV groups. Furthermore, significant changes in predictive chemokine markers of HCMV-induced CNV were positively correlated with HCMV viremia. These immunological alterations ultimately lead to the switching of NFκB canonical and noncanonical pathways, respectively, in HCMV-induced neonatal CNV and HCMV non-induced CNV. This clinical observation presents a novel hypothesis that ocular HCMV latency poses a noteworthy risk factor for the progression of retinal neovascularization through a distinctive immunological signaling pathway. The current study represents the first of its kind to report on this association, which may have significant implications for the clinical management of patients with ocular HCMV.

The Notch signaling-regulated angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis: pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic potentials

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the pathological process of inflammation and invasion of the synovium, and primarily drives the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies have demonstrated that the Notch signaling may represent a new therapeutic target of RA. Although the Notch signaling has been implicated in the M1 polarization of macrophages and the differentiation of lymphocytes, little is known about its role in angiogenesis in RA. In this review, we discourse the unique roles of stromal cells and adipokines in the angiogenic progression of RA, and investigate how epigenetic regulation of the Notch signaling influences angiogenesis in RA. We also discuss the interaction of the Notch-HIF signaling in RA's angiogenesis and the potential strategies targeting the Notch signaling to improve the treatment outcomes of RA. Taken together, we further suggest new insights into future research regarding the challenges in the therapeutic strategies of RA.

Lymph node metastasis in cancer progression: molecular mechanisms, clinical significance and therapeutic interventions

Lymph nodes (LNs) are important hubs for metastatic cell arrest and growth, immune modulation, and secondary dissemination to distant sites through a series of mechanisms, and it has been proved that lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an essential prognostic indicator in many different types of cancer. Therefore, it is important for oncologists to understand the mechanisms of tumor cells to metastasize to LNs, as well as how LNM affects the prognosis and therapy of patients with cancer in order to provide patients with accurate disease assessment and effective treatment strategies. In recent years, with the updates in both basic and clinical studies on LNM and the application of advanced medical technologies, much progress has been made in the understanding of the mechanisms of LNM and the strategies for diagnosis and treatment of LNM. In this review, current knowledge of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of LNs, as well as the molecular mechanisms of LNM, are described. The clinical significance of LNM in different anatomical sites is summarized, including the roles of LNM playing in staging, prognostic prediction, and treatment selection for patients with various types of cancers. And the novel exploration and academic disputes of strategies for recognition, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions of metastatic LNs are also discussed.

Identification of Shared Immune Cells and Immune-Related Co-Disease Genes in Chronic Heart Failure and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Transcriptome Sequencing

Purpose

The purpose was to identify shared immune cells and co-disease genes in chronic heart failure (HF) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as explore the potential mechanisms of action between HF and SLE.

Methods

A collection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ten patients with HF and SLE and ten normal controls (NC) was used for transcriptome sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis, enrichment analysis, immune infiltration analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and machine learning were applied for the screening of shared immune cells and co-disease genes in HF and SLE. Gene expression analysis and correlation analysis were used to explore the potential mechanisms of co-disease genes and immune cells in HF and SLE.

Results

In this study, it was found that two immune cells, T cells CD4 naïve and Monocytes, displayed similar expression patterns in HF and SLE at the same time. By taking intersection of the above immune cell-associated genes with the DEGs common to both HF and SLE, four immune-associated co-disease genes, CCR7, RNASE2, RNASE3 and CXCL10, were finally identified. CCR7, as one of the four key genes, was significantly down-regulated in HF and SLE, while the rest three key genes were all significantly up-regulated in both diseases.

Conclusion

T cells CD4 naïve and Monocytes were first revealed as possible shared immune cells of HF and SLE, and CCR7, RNASE2, RNASE3 and CXCL10 were identified as possible key genes common to HF and SLE as well as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HF and SLE.

CCL21/CCR7 axis as a therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases

Chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is a G protein-coupled receptor containing 7 transmembrane domains that is expressed on various cells, such as naive T/B cells, central memory T cells, regulatory T cells, immature/mature dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells, and a minority of tumor cells. Chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) is the known high-affinity ligand that binds to CCR7 and drives cell migration in tissues. CCL21 is mainly produced by stromal cells and lymphatic endothelial cells, and its expression is significantly increased under inflammatory conditions. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a strong association between CCL21/CCR7 axis and disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, and asthma. Disrupting CCL21/CCR7 interaction with antibodies or inhibitors prevents the migration of CCR7-expressing immune and non-immune cells at the site of inflammation and reduces disease severity. This review emphasizes the importance of the CCL21 /CCR7 axis in autoimmune diseases and evaluates its potential as a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.

Identification of the candidate genes of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis using the single-cell sequencing technology and T cell subclusters analysis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the heterogeneity among different cell types in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to analyze T cell subsets to obtain key genes that may lead to RA.

Materials and methods: The sequencing data of 10,483 cells were obtained from the GEO data platform. The data were filtered and normalized initially and, then, principal component analysis (PCA) and t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (TSNE) cluster analysis were performed using the Seurat package in R language to group the cells, thereby obtaining the T cells. The T cells were subjected to subcluster analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in T cell subclusters were obtained, and the hub genes were determined by Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. Finally, the hub genes were validated using other datasets in the GEO data platform.

Results: The PBMC of RA patients were mainly divided into T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, and monocyte cells. The number of T cells was 4,483, which were further divided into seven clusters. The pseudotime trajectory analysis showed that the differentiation of T cells developed from cluster 0 and cluster 1 to cluster 5 and cluster 6. Through GO, KEGG and PPI analysis, the hub genes were identified. After validation by external data sets, nine genes were identified as candidate genes highly associated with the occurrence of RA, including CD8A, CCL5, GZMB, NKG7, PRF1, GZMH, CCR7, GZMK, and GZMA.

Conclusion: Based on single-cell sequencing analysis, we identified nine candidate genes for diagnosing RA, and validated their diagnostic value for RA patients. Our findings may provide new sights for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

CCL21/CCR7 Axis Contributes to Trophoblastic Cell Migration and Invasion in Preeclampsia by Affecting the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition via the ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder that is a leading cause of maternal death. The failure of spiral artery remodeling due to insufficient trophoblast migration and invasion is critical in the pathogenesis of PE. Recently, the CC motif chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) has been widely linked to cancer cell invasion and migration. However, their potential mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we found that CCL21 expression was significantly lower in the PE group than that in the control group. In vitro experiments revealed that recombinant CCL21 could promote trophoblast cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) and improve migration and invasion. Furthermore, an inhibitor of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway inhibited the CCL21-induced EMT process. Finally, a PE mouse model was established using the NOS inhibitor L-NAME, and we obtained similar results, with downregulated CCL21 and EMT biomarkers and upregulated CCR7. Taken together, these findings suggest that the CCL21/CCR7 axis influences EMT by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, thereby affecting trophoblast cell migration and invasion, which may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PE.

Shared gene characteristics and molecular mechanisms of macrophages M1 polarization in calcified aortic valve disease

Background

CAVD is a common cardiovascular disease, but currently there is no drug treatment. Therefore, it is urgent to find new and effective drug therapeutic targets. Recent evidence has shown that the infiltration of M1 macrophages increased in the calcified aortic valve tissues, but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to explore the shared gene characteristics and molecular mechanisms of macrophages M1 polarization in CAVD, in order to provide a theoretical basis for new drugs of CAVD.

Methods

The mRNA datasets of CAVD and M1 polarization were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. R language, String, and Cytoscape were used to analyze the functions and pathways of DEGs and feature genes. Immunohistochemical staining and Western Blot were performed to verify the selected hub genes.

Results

CCR7 and GZMB were two genes appeared together in hub genes of M1-polarized and CAVD datasets that might be involved in the process of CAVD and macrophages M1 polarization. CCR7 and CD86 were significantly increased, while CD163 was significantly decreased in the calcified aortic valve tissues. The infiltration of M1 macrophages was increased, on the contrary, the infiltration of M2 macrophages was decreased in the calcified aortic valve tissues.

Conclusion

This study reveals the shared gene characteristics and molecular mechanisms of CAVD and macrophages M1 polarization. The hub genes and pathways we found may provide new ideas for the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of M1 polarization during CAVD process.

Knee osteoarthritis phenotypes based on synovial fluid immune cells correlate with clinical outcome trajectories

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly heterogeneous disease encompassing a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Phenotypes based on immune cells and protein pattern in synovial fluid (SF) and their relationship to clinical trajectories have not been described.

OBJECTIVE

To assess phenotypes based on immune cells and protein pattern of SF in KOA.

DESIGN

SF-derived immune cells were investigated in 119 patients with KOA using flow cytometry. Immune-phenotypes (iPhen) were determined by multivariate patient similarity network analysis and related to clinical trajectory (3-6 months post-sampling) along with protein pattern and macrophage chemokine receptors.

RESULTS

Four iPhen were detected based on the distribution of T-lymphocytes, monocyte-macrophage lineage cells and activated CD8+ T-lymphocytes. The 'activated' phenotype (n = 17) had high T-lymphocytes but low monocyte-macrophage lineage cells and neutrophils, all highly activated, and showed improved symptoms in 70% patients. The 'lymphoid progressive' phenotype (n = 31) had high neutrophils, low lymphocytes and monocyte-macrophage lineage cells, low activation and was associated with lower pain levels. The 'myeloid progressive' phenotype (n = 35) had high NK and monocyte-macrophage lineage cells but low T-lymphocytes and activation. The 'aggressive' phenotype (n = 36) had high lymphocytes, macrophages, NK cells and neutrophils and high activation, and only 39% of patients improved during follow-up. Low CXCR4 and CCR7 expression on macrophages and high CXCL10 in SF were linked to improved clinical trajectory.

CONCLUSION

We identified four immune-phenotypes that were associated with different clinical trajectories in KOA patients. How these phenotypes can be targeted therapeutically deserves further investigation.

Protein vaccine NVX-CoV2373 elicits functional T cell immunity

The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine that might circumvent the difficulties in distributing mRNA vaccines to regions with limited access to cold-chain and refrigeration. However, the NVX-CoV2373–induced T cell and antibody responses remain poorly understood. In this issue of the JCI, Moderbacher et al. characterized SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses elicited by one or two doses of NVX-CoV2373 in individuals enrolled in a phase I/IIa trial. Substantially increased spike-specific CD4⁺ and T follicular helper cells were found after the first or second vaccine dose, with some individuals developing a modest spike-specific CD8⁺ T cell response. Correlation analysis revealed an association between spike-specific CD4⁺ T cells and neutralizing antibody titers. Notably, preexisting T cell immunity showed negligible effects on NVX-CoV2373–induced T cell responses. These findings indicate that the protein-based vaccine NVX-CoV2373 induces robust T cell immunity capable of recognizing SARS-CoV-2 antigens and supporting humoral immune responses.

Bioinformatics and System Biology Approach to Identify the Influences of COVID-19 on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19) has led to a rapid increase in mortality worldwide. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a high-risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying RA and CVOID-19 are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to analyze potential molecular mechanisms and identify potential drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 and RA using bioinformatics and a systems biology approach.

Methods

Two Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) sets extracted from GSE171110 and GSE1775544 datasets were intersected to generate common DEGs, which were used for functional enrichment, pathway analysis, and candidate drugs analysis.

Results

A total of 103 common DEGs were identified in the two datasets between RA and COVID-19. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed using various combinatorial statistical methods and bioinformatics tools. Subsequently, hub genes and essential modules were identified from the PPI network. In addition, we performed functional analysis and pathway analysis under ontological conditions and found that there was common association between RA and progression of COVID-19 infection. Finally, transcription factor-gene interactions, protein-drug interactions, and DEGs-miRNAs coregulatory networks with common DEGs were also identified in the datasets.

Conclusion

We successfully identified the top 10 hub genes that could serve as novel targeted therapy for COVID-19 and screened out some potential drugs useful for COVID-19 patients with RA.

Metabolic reprogramming of macrophages instigates CCL21-induced arthritis

This study was designed to delineate the functional significance of CCL21 in metabolic reprogramming in experimental arthritis and differentiated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) macrophages (MΦs). To characterize the influence of CCL21 on immunometabolism, its mechanism of action was elucidated by dysregulating glucose uptake in preclinical arthritis and RA MΦs. In CCL21 arthritic joints, the glycolytic intermediates hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), cMYC and GLUT1 were overexpressed compared with oxidative regulators estrogen-related receptor γ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC1)-α. Interestingly, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) therapy mitigated CCL21-induced arthritis by restraining the number of joint F4/80+ iNOS+ MΦs without impacting F4/80+ Arginase+ MΦs. Similar to the preclinical findings, blockade of glycolysis negated CCL21-polarized CD14+ CD86+ GLUT+ MΦ frequency; however, CD14+ CD206+ GLUT+ MΦs were not implicated in this process. In CCL21-induced arthritis and differentiated RA MΦs, the inflammatory imprint was uniquely intercepted by 2-DG via interleukin-6 (IL-6) downregulation. Despite the more expansive inflammatory response of CCL21 in the arthritic joints relative to the differentiated RA MΦs, 2-DG was ineffective in joint tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, CCL2 and CCL5 enrichment. By contrast, disruption of glycolysis markedly impaired CCL21-induced HIF1α and cMYC signaling in arthritic mice. Notably, in RA MΦs, glycolysis interception was directed toward dysregulating CCL21-enhanced HIF1α transcription. Nonetheless, in concurrence with the diminished IL-6 levels, CCL21 differentiation of CD14+ CD86+ GLUT1+ MΦs was reversed by glycolysis and HIIF1α inhibition. Moreover, in the CCL21 experimental arthritis or differentiated RA MΦs, the malfunctioning metabolic machinery was accompanied by impaired oxidative phosphorylation because of reduced PGC1α or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression. CCL21 reconfigures naïve myeloid cells into glycolytic RA CD14+ CD86+ GLUT+ IL-6high HIF1αhigh MΦs. Therefore, inhibiting the CCL21/CCR7 pathway may provide a promising therapeutic strategy.

Bioinformatics-based study to identify immune infiltration and inflammatory-related hub genes as biomarkers for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease whose principal pathological change is aggressive chronic synovial inflammation; however, the specific etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated. We downloaded the synovial tissue gene expression profiles of four human knees from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, analyzed the differentially expressed genes in the normal and RA groups, and assessed their enrichment in functions and pathways using bioinformatics methods and the STRING online database to establish protein-protein interaction networks. Cytoscape software was used to obtain 10 hub genes; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for each hub gene and differential expression analysis of the two groups of hub genes. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to impute immune infiltration. We identified the signaling pathways that play important roles in RA and 10 hub genes: Ccr1, Ccr2, Ccr5, Ccr7, Cxcl5, Cxcl6, Cxcl13, Ccl13, Adcy2, and Pnoc. The diagnostic value of these 10 hub genes for RA was confirmed using ROC curves and expression analysis. Adcy2, Cxcl13, and Ccr5 are strongly associated with RA development. The study also revealed that the differential infiltration profile of different inflammatory immune cells in the synovial tissue of RA is an extremely critical factor in RA progression. This study may contribute to the understanding of signaling pathways and biological processes associated with RA and the role of inflammatory immune infiltration in the pathogenesis of RA. In addition, this study shows that Adcy2, Cxcl13, and Ccr5 have the potential to be biomarkers for RA treatment.