Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Drives Proliferation of Synoviocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Possible Novel Therapeutic Target

Table 1

Semi-quantitative analysis of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 protein expression.

Group	Shh				Ptch1				Smo				Gli1
	−	+	++	+++	−	+	++	+++	−	+	++	+++	−	+	++	+++
RA (𝑛=10)	0	2	8	0	0	6	4	0	0	0	6	4	0	8	2	0
Control (𝑛=5)	0	3	2	0	0	3	2	0	3	2	0	0	0	5	0	0

The positive expression rate of Shh signal pathway components (Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1) in RA synovial tissues was examined by IHC. Results showed that the rate of moderately positive expression of Shh, Smo and Gli1 in the RA group (80%, 60% and 20%, resp.) was higher than in the control group (40%, 0% and 0%, resp.).