Impact of immune checkpoint TIGIT on the activation and function of natural killer cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors' conclusion
Our results showed that decreased TIGIT expressions in RA patients and the TIGIT signalling pathway may participate in the activation and function of NK subsets, which show new insight for the exploration of RA pathogenesis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), healthy controls and osteoarthritis (OA) patients
- Participants
- 53 / 23 / 11
- Comparison
- RA patients vs healthy controls and OA patients
- RAn = 53
- Healthy controlsn = 23reference
- OAn = 11
- Outcome
- Changes of circulating NK cells and their TIGIT expression; impact of TIGIT expression on NK cell activity and function
Methodological detailsflow cytometry, in vitro cultures
- Flow cytometry
- In vitro cultures
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Circulating CD56brightNK cell levels significantly elevated in RA
- NKT cell levels notably reduced in RA
- Natural killer (NK) cells more activated phenotypes and enhanced function in RA
- TIGIT expression on NK cells and subsets significantly reduced, with imbalanced TIGIT/CD226 ratio
- TIGIT-expressing NK subsets: lower CD25 expression and weakened IFN-γ production in RA
- In vitro anti-TIGIT antibody blockade enhanced NK cell activity and function; TIGIT-Fc chimera activation down-regulated them
Original publication
Impact of immune checkpoint TIGIT on the activation and function of natural killer cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 4 June 2025. doi:10.
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