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Blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte migratory activities during rheumatoid arthritis
1Institute for General and Experimental Pathology, University of Graz, Austria.
Abstract:
Blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migratory activity was investigated in adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and in healthy control subjects using fresh whole blood in a novel membrane filter assay. The PMNs migrated under FMLP stimulation and under blank control conditions (spontaneous migration). Essential evaluation criteria were the percentage of PMNs that migrated from the entire blood sample into the filters (TMI) and the penetration depth of the migrating cell bulk into the filters (DC). PMNs from healthy subjects penetrate deeper under FMLP stimulation than under blank control conditions. Migration depends on age and sex: the TMI decreases, while the DC and the reactivity towards FMLP increase with age. FMLP triggers a stronger DC reaction in females than in males. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with RA develop an increased PMN reaction, whereas FMLP inhibits migration in comparison with the blank controls. There is no correlation between disease activity estimated by joint functions and PMN migratory activity, while there are strong correlations between disease activity and the classical RA laboratory parameters WBC, platelets, BSR, CRP, hemoglobin and rheumatoid factor. PMNs therefore probably do not play a major role in joint injury. Gold therapy inhibits DC reactivity. PMN migration in RA differs markedly from the reactions in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, where high disease activity is associated with high PMN migratory activity, and the correlations between classical laboratory parameters and disease activity follow other patterns than in RA.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migration in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients shows altered responses compared to healthy individuals. RA PMN migration is increased but inhibited by FMLP, suggesting PMNs may not drive joint injury in adult RA.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are key immune cells involved in inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate blood PMN migratory activity in adult RA patients versus healthy controls.
- To assess the role of PMN migration in RA pathogenesis and its correlation with disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel membrane filter assay with fresh whole blood.
- Evaluated PMN migration under formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) stimulation and spontaneous conditions.
- Measured total migration index (TMI) and depth of cell penetration (DC).
Main Results:
- Healthy PMNs showed increased migration depth with FMLP stimulation.
- PMN migration varied with age and sex in healthy individuals.
- RA patients exhibited an increased PMN reaction, but FMLP inhibited their migration compared to controls.
- No correlation found between joint function and PMN migration in RA, but strong correlations with laboratory markers.
- Gold therapy was observed to inhibit PMN DC reactivity.
Conclusions:
- PMN migratory activity in adult RA differs significantly from healthy individuals and juvenile RA.
- PMNs likely do not play a primary role in joint injury in adult RA.
- Disease activity in adult RA correlates more strongly with laboratory markers than PMN migration.