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T and B cell-dependent pathways in rheumatoid arthritis
1Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves T cells beyond joint antigen recognition, with abnormalities in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showing clonal expansion in RA patients. These findings suggest a broader pathogenetic role for T cells in RA development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- T and B cells are crucial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis.
- T cell involvement in RA is complex, extending beyond synovial antigen recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and characteristics of T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To explore abnormalities in circulating T cells in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T cell infiltrates in rheumatoid synovia implants in immunocompromised mice.
- Characterization of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in RA patients and healthy individuals.
Main Results:
- T cell infiltrates in synovia implants do not persist, indicating dependence on the peripheral T cell repertoire.
- RA patients exhibit clonal expansion of CD4+ T cells in the blood, with these clonotypes present in tissues.
- Clonal expansion of CD8+ T cells is observed in RA patients, at a higher frequency than in healthy individuals.
- Most rheumatoid factor (RF) specific immunoglobulins in RA patients are in germline configuration, suggesting antigen-nonspecific stimuli may induce RF release.
Conclusions:
- The pathogenetic role of T cells in RA extends beyond the joint and antigen recognition within the synovium.
- Abnormalities in the peripheral T cell repertoire, specifically clonal expansion, are significant in RA.
- Further research is needed to understand the induction of RF release by antigen-nonspecific stimuli in RA.