Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
869
Self-reactive T cells induce and perpetuate chronic relapsing arthritis
Jonatan Tuncel1, Jens Holmberg2, Sabrina Haag1
1Division of Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Arthritis Research & Therapy
|April 30, 2020
Summary
CD4+ T cells from lymph nodes drive chronic relapsing arthritis in rats, while spleen T cells cause acute disease. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is crucial for sustaining this T cell-mediated inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- CD4+ T cells are key in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Their role in sustaining chronic, relapsing RA remains unclear.
- Understanding T cell contribution is vital for RA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide conclusive evidence that T cells drive chronic relapsing arthritis.
- To investigate the mechanisms of T cell-mediated chronic inflammation in RA.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the rat pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) model.
- Administered CD4+ T cells from lymph nodes versus spleen into irradiated rats.
- Investigated the impact of thymectomy and T cell depletion.
Main Results:
- Lymph node-derived CD4+ T cells induced chronic arthritis (>4 months); spleen cells induced acute disease.
- Thymectomy enhanced arthritis severity, suggesting lymphopenia promotes T cell-driven inflammation.
- Chronic arthritis correlated with Th17 transcripts; IL-17 neutralization led to sustained remission.
Conclusions:
- Activated self-reactive T cells can sustain inflammation long-term.
- Interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays a critical role in promoting sustained T cell-driven inflammation.
- Targeting IL-17 may be a viable strategy for managing chronic RA.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
2.0K
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.0K
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
1.3K
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
1.3K
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
8.2K
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
8.2K
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
14.4K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.4K
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
11.5K
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
11.5K
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
15.6K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
15.6K