Predominance of T cells in the lymphocytic infiltrates of synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis.
Synovial tissues from 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence of lymphocytes with either bone marrow-derived (B) or thymus-derived (T) surface markers. Five synovial tissues with severe to mild lymphocytic infiltrations by bright field microscopy were examined in parallel with immunofluorescence. B cells were identified with a pepsin-digested fluoresceinated anti-F (ab')2 antiserum and T cells were detected with a specific rabbit anti-T lymphocyte antiserum. By these techniques 75-90% of the lymphocytes in these frozen sections were identified as T cells. Cell suspensions were also prepared by collagenase digestion of two of the five synovial tissues. The lymphocytes in these cell suspensions were predominantly T lymphocytes (78-85%) as shown by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes).
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum