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Leukocyte activation and function-associated antigens in inflammatory disease
M G Macey1, J M Wilton, R Carbon
1Royal London Hospital, UK.
Insights
Leukocyte activation markers are altered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, but not in periodontitis. These changes suggest immune cell involvement in these inflammatory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) analysis is crucial for understanding immune responses in inflammatory diseases.
- Adhesion and function-associated molecules on PBLs can indicate cellular activation states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of specific cell surface molecules on PBLs from patients with adult periodontitis (PD), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To determine if observed changes in antigen expression correlate with leukocyte activation in these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A novel rapid fixation technique was employed for leukocyte preparation to prevent antigen artifact.
- Flow cytometry was used to assay expression of CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD56, and CD57 on PBLs.
- Analysis included normal controls, PD, AS, and RA patient groups.
Main Results:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients showed decreased CD18+ lymphocytes and increased CD11b+ neutrophils. Lymphocyte CD11b and CD18 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) decreased, while CD57 MFI increased.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients exhibited increased CD11b+ lymphocytes and neutrophils, and decreased CD18+ lymphocytes and neutrophils. Lymphocyte CD11b and CD18 MFI decreased, CD16 MFI increased, and neutrophil CD18 MFI increased.
- No significant differences in antigen expression were observed in periodontitis (PD) patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Altered antigen expression on PBLs in RA and AS patients suggests leukocyte activation.
- The findings indicate distinct immune cell activation patterns in RA and AS, differentiating them from PD.
- Leukocyte activation markers may serve as potential indicators for inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Abstract:
Expression of adhesion molecules, CD11a, CD11b and CD18, and of the function-associated molecules CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD56 and CD57 was assayed on peripheral blood leukocytes from normal control subjects (n = 10), and from patients with adult periodontitis PD (n = 9), ankylosing spondylitis AS (n = 11) and rheumatoid arthritis RA (n = 14). A novel rapid fixation leukocyte preparation technique was used which prevents artefactual up-regulation of surface antigens. In RA patients, the percentage of CD18+ lymphocytes was decreased and that of CD11b+ neutrophils was increased. On lymphocytes the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of both CD11b and CD18 was decreased whereas that of CD57 was increased. In AS patients the percentages of CD11b+ lymphocytes and neutrophils were increased and CD18+ lymphocytes and neutrophils were decreased. On lymphocytes the MFIs of CD11b and CD18 were decreased, whilst that of CD16 was increased. On neutrophils the MFI for CD18 was increased. No significant differences (p < 0.01) were seen for the periodontitis patients. It is suggested that the antigen expression on peripheral blood cells from RA and AS patients is consistent with leukocyte activation.