[T gamma lymphocytes in rheumatoid synovial membrane]

The proportion of T lymphocytes with receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (T gamma cells), revealed by mixed rosette assay, was determined in the synovial membrane and peripheral blood of 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The percentage of T gamma cells in the lymphocytic infiltration of rheumatoid synovium was significantly lower than that found in peripheral blood (p less than 0.005). There was no significant difference between the percentage of T lymphocytes in the synovial tissue and that in peripheral blood. Depressed supressor activity of T lymphocytes in rheumatoid synovial membrane might lead B-lymphocytes to blastic transformation to the plasma cell series with consequent production of large amounts of immunoglobulins in the joint.