Characteristics of immunocompetent cells in synovial membranes from multiple sites in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

AUTOR(ES)

Hanly, J G

RESUMO

The phenotypic characterization of enzymatically dissociated mononuclear cells in synovial membrane samples from multiple sites in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined by fluorescence activated flow cytometry. In synovial membrane samples from each patient there was a consistent increase in the proportion of CD8+ cells (suppressor/cytotoxic), CD14+ cells (monocytes/macrophages), and HLA-DR+ cells compared with paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The proportion of CD4+ cells (helper/inducer) in synovial membrane was variable. Studies of in vitro production of IgM and IgM rheumatoid factor in one patient showed strikingly similar values for synovial membrane rheumatoid factor production at the two sites, which was enhanced compared with production in peripheral blood. These results suggest that in individual patients with RA the intra-articular immune response is comparable at multiple anatomical sites and that it is distinct from that in peripheral blood.

Documentos Relacionados

• Detection of cytokine producing cells in the synovial membrane from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Complement system in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Absence of Epstein-Barr virus carrying cells in synovial membranes and subcutaneous nodules of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Receptor expression in synovial fluid neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Search for mycoplasma in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.