title: Mechanism of T-cell activation by mycobacterial antigens in inflammatory synovitis.
abstract: Earlier studies demonstrated enhanced proliferative responses to an acetone precipitable Mycobacterium tuberculosis (AP-MT) antigenic complex by T lymphocytes from the synovial fluid, compared with the peripheral blood, of patients with inflammatory synovitis, including rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, decreased proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL-2) production in response to mitogens by synovial fluid lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been demonstrated. In order to determine if IL-2 was produced in response to AP-MT, the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory arthritis were analysed by measuring proliferation and IL-2 production in response to AP-MT and tetanus toxoid. A reduction of IL-2 production relative to proliferation was observed in some, but not all, synovial fluids of patients who responded to the AP-MT. Nevertheless, antibodies to IL-2 as well as interleukin 4 (IL-4), significantly inhibited proliferation of synovial fluid lymphocytes by AP-MT. There was no inhibition by antibodies to interleukin 6 (IL-6). We conclude that AP-MT induced proliferation by synovial fluid lymphocytes is mediated by both IL-2 and IL-4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burford-Foggs
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sambol
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D015847:Interleukin-4