Spontaneous in vivo gene transcription of interleukin-2, interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interferon-gamma, interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) and proto-oncogene c-myc by rheumatoid synovial T lymphocytes.
Rheumatoid synovial T lymphocytes were investigated for the presence of mRNA for the cytokines interleukin-2, -3, -4, -6, interferon-gamma, the interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) and the proto-oncogene c-myc. The isolated RNAs were analysed by dot blot and Northern blot hybridization. Our results show that synovial T lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 12) had spontaneous in vivo gene transcription of interleukin-2 (93%), interleukin-4 (67%), interleukin-6 (92%), interleukin-2 receptor (92%) and the proto-oncogene c-myc (67%). Only a few of the RA patients had synovial T cells with increased expression of mRNA for interleukin-3 (25%) and interferon-gamma (25%). The amounts of mRNA for the various cytokines and activation molecules produced by the rheumatoid synovial T lymphocytes were in most instances comparable to those of normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes activated in vitro by the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin. The data thus indicate that the synovial T lymphocytes are activated in vivo in the majority of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Waalen
K
K
Institute of Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Sioud
M
M
Natvig
J B
JB
Førre
O
O
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D007378:Interleukins; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma