Does C-reactive protein modulate T-lymphocyte function in methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients?
Thirty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with oral methotrexate for 6 months. Methotrexate was given as a single weekly dose of 7.5-10 mg. A correlation between serum concentration of CRP and proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood was found in this group of patients. This correlation can be described by a linear regression equation. According to the results obtained, CRP suppresses lymphocyte function in patients with RA. This is the consequence of the stimulating effect on suppressor mechanisms.
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, University School of Medicine, Poznań, Poland.
K E
KE
Wiktorowicz
J K
JK
Lacki
P
P
Błazczak
J
J
Cofta
S H
SH
Mackiewicz
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008727:Methotrexate