title: In vivo administration of interferon-gamma to patients with rheumatoid arthritis decreases numbers of circulating B cells.
abstract: We evaluated the expression of leukocyte cell surface antigens in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy individuals using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Both 1 and 2-color analyses were performed. Markers evaluated included markers of T and B cell subsets, activation antigens, and antigens expressed on additional cell types. No major differences were seen between healthy persons and patients. The effects of in vivo administration of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were studied in a clinical trial of the efficacy of this agent in the treatment of RA. Numbers of circulating B cells fell with administration of IFN-gamma. Expression of HLA-DR antigens on monocytes may have increased slightly with IFN therapy. There was no correlation between clinical response to IFN-gamma and change in any immune variables. Because of the observed alterations in B cell numbers, serum immunoglobulins were measured by radial immunodiffusion. There was no alteration of levels of most immunoglobulin isotypes as a result of therapy. There was a modest increase in serum IgA. There was no change in either rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibody titers during IFN-gamma therapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Structure and Function, NIAID, NIH, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007371:Interferon-gamma