Author:
Farhan Shahad and Anwar Saleh Saihood
Page: 1-4
Published online: 13 Jun 2025
https://doi.org/10.36478/acerjmb.2025.1.4
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive joint damage and systemic manifestations. The condition arises from a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers and immune dysregulation. A hallmark of RA is the disruption of cytokine signaling, which promotes continuous inflammation and tissue destruction. Recent focus has shifted toward understanding the role of purinergic signaling, particularly through ectonucleotidases like CD39, which regulate extracellular ATP and immune cell responses. This study aimed to assess the expression levels of CD39 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA patients and evaluate its relationship with interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels. The goal was to explore the potential involvement of CD39 in the immunopathogenesis of RA. A case‐control study was conducted involving 100 participants, divided equally into RA patients and healthy controls. CD39 gene expression in PBMCs was quantified using qRT‐PCR, while serum IL‐6 levels were measured using ELISA. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and molecular analyses were carried out on extracted RNA samples. The findings showed a significant downregulation of CD39 expression in RA patients compared to healthy individuals (p