Gene Expression Profiles of PTPN22, TRAF-1, and IL-1β in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Healthy Controls After SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Vaccination

Background: Recovery from COVID-19 probably lead to long-term symptomsincluding  immune system complications. Recent publications reported that SARS-CoV-2 infection or sometimes vaccination against might trigger autoimmune responses in vulnerable cohort. Purpose of the research: To investigate the differences in the expression of PTPN22, TRAF-1, and IL-1β genes in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 61 patients diagnosed with RA post Covid-19 patients RAI, and 40 control (C) experienced at least one Covid-19 infection. RNA was extracted and used to prepare cDNA from each sample and used to analyse the expression of PTPN22, TRAF-1 and IL-1β using relative gene expression. Results: The study covered all 61 patients, 17 had been vaccinated without prior infection with Covid-19 (RAV).  While the 44 that were diagnosed with RA after recovery from Covid-19 (RAI). A statistically significant decrease in gene expression of TRAF-1 in both RAI and RAV patients compared to C group (P=0.042). Consistently significant increase in gene expression of IL-1β in both RAI and RAV samples compared to control. However, the reduction in PTPN22 expression was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, TRAF1 was significantly down-regulated but IL-1β up-regulated in RA patients post either COVID-19 infection or vaccination, while PTPN22 displayed non-significant reduction. The study findings suggest that triggered immune response post SARS-CoV-2 exposure, through infection or vaccination, may influence molecular pathways involved in RA pathogenesis.