Immunohistological features of synovitis in ankylosing spondylitis: a comparison with rheumatoid arthritis.
The immunohistological features of the synovial membrane in ankylosing spondylitis, HLA-B27 associated oligoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis wer examined with particular reference to T lymphocyte subsets. T helper (CD4+) cells clearly outnumbered T suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) cells in rheumatoid arthritis, whereas both cell types were present in equal numbers in ankylosing spondylitis. A reduction of CD4+/CD45R+ suppressor/inducer cells relative to CD4+/UCHL1+ helper/inducer cells was apparent in all diagnostic groups. The observations were suggestive of disease specific inflammatory responses within synovial membrane.
Kidd
B L
BL
Rheumatology Unit, Southampton General Hospital.
Moore
K
K
Walters
M T
MT
Smith
J L
JL
Cawley
M I
MI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology