Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Interleukin-15 selectively expands CD57+ CD28- CD4+ T cells, which are increased in active rheumatoid arthritis
Hisakata Yamada1, Nobutaka Kaibara, Shinji Okano
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. hisakata@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Proinflammatory cytokines as well as CD4(+) T cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, an increase of CD57(+) or CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells was demonstrated in RA, although the mechanism of the increase of these T cells is unclear. In this study, we first examined the relationship between CD57(+)CD4(+) T cells and CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells and found CD57(+)CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells, but neither CD57(+)CD28(+) nor CD57(-)CD28(+) cells, expanded in the peripheral blood of active RA. In vitro experiments revealed that CD57(+)CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells selectively expanded in response to IL-15. Furthermore IL-15-stimulated CD57(+)CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells induced TNF-alpha production from monocytes. These results suggest that CD57(+)CD28(-)CD4(+) T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RA by responding to IL-15.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease