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.
Wiktorowicz
K E
KE
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, University School of Medicine, Poznań, Poland.
Lacki
J K
JK
Błazczak
P
P
Cofta
J
J
Mackiewicz
S H
SH
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