The intrinsic migratory capacity of memory T cells contributes to their accumulation in rheumatoid synovium.
OBJECTIVE
Mechanisms controlling the infiltration of T cells into rheumatoid synovium have not been fully characterized. These studies were undertaken to investigate the relationship between T cell phenotype and migratory capacity, so as to elucidate mechanisms that might contribute to the accumulation of T cells at inflammatory sites.


METHODS
The characteristics of in vivo migrating cells were studied by dual-immunofluorescence FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorter) analysis of rheumatoid synovial and peripheral blood T cells. Migratory cells were also characterized using a recently developed in vitro assay, wherein peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBTL) with the capacity to migrate through endothelial cell monolayers were retrieved and assessed.


RESULTS
Migratory CD4+ T cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and normal individuals were characterized as being CD45RA-, CD29bright, CD11abright, L-selectin-, CD54+, and CD58+. Migrating RA PBTL (compared with normal PBTL), however, were significantly enriched in activated HLA-DR+ T cells. RA synovial tissue lymphocytes exhibited a similar phenotype, but with decreased surface density of CD4 and an increase in HLA-DR and VLA-1. RA synovial lymphocytes exhibited a 2-3-fold increase in migratory capacity over normal and RA PBTL:


CONCLUSIONS
These studies demonstrate the inherent migratory proficiency of CD4+ T cells that express a memory phenotype (CD29bright, CD11abright, and CD58+). In addition, enhanced transendothelial migration was observed for CD4+ T cells that were CD54+ and L-selectin-. These studies demonstrate that the migratory patterns of circulating lymphocytes may be correlated with their surface phenotype and that the intrinsic migratory capacity of memory T cells is one component contributing to their accumulation in the rheumatoid synovium.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D019012:Integrin beta1; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D019012:Integrin beta1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins