Further inhibition of p-Akt1 expression with pAkt1/2 kinase inhibitor not only downregulated inflammatory cytokines but also resulted in decreased RANKL expression, thus confirming that IL-21/23 axis employs PI3K/p-Akt1 pathway for regulation of inflammatory cytokines and RANKL expression in RA CD4+ T cells. Here, AKT1 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.