Impaired release of a T-cell specific suppressor factor in rheumatoid arthritis

Peripheral blood T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and scleroderma (PSS) were assessed for their ability to release T-cell-specific suppressor activity (TRSA) upon incubation with a suppressor activating factor (SAF) derived from a human lymphoblastoid cell line (CEM). T cells from 11/20 (55%) RA patients exhibited impaired TRSA release in contrast to 1/12 (8%) of PSS patients. RA patients demonstrating impaired TRSA release exhibited more active arthritis than patients demonstrating normal TRSA release.