Activated lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), when compared to controls, has a higher proportion of mononuclear cells actively synthesizing DNA (S-phase cells). Such cells can be marked by radioautography after incubation with tritiated thymidine and can also be quantitated by the 4-h spontaneous in vitro uptake of tritiated thymidine. As our previous studies showed a marked and rapid decrease in this latter measure, in response to in vivo methotrexate, we suggested that the responsible cells may have a direct role in pathogenesis rather than merely reflecting the inflammation that is present. We have therefore tried to characterize them further. A mean of 46% of these autoradiography positive cells from the peripheral blood of patients with active RA bear CD3 markers and 61% Ia. On some occasions up to 25% stain for Leu M3 and 25% for Leu 7. None were esterase positive. Cell separation studies confirm that such cells were found in both T cell and non-T cell enriched populations. These cells, therefore, appear to be heterogeneous. A decreased number was seen in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients who had received remittive therapy for over 4 months when compared to other patients with RA and this was associated with a lower 4-h spontaneous uptake of labelled thymidine.
Rheumatic Disease Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Russell
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001345:Autoradiography; D002469:Cell Separation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D013936:Thymidine