Increase in OKM1+ granular lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients with very active rheumatoid arthritis that was being treated only with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs had increased numbers of peripheral blood OKM1+ lymphocytes. In 3 patients, 90 degrees light scatter analysis revealed a double lymphocyte peak. When sorted, the high scatter peak contained a large percentage of granular lymphocytes. Patients with mild-to-moderately active rheumatoid arthritis had normal levels of OKM1+ lymphocytes, but when the drugs were discontinued, the activity of the disease and the numbers of OKM1+ cells increased. Administration of piroxicam was associated with clinical improvement and a decrease in levels of OKM1+ cells. OKM1+ granular lymphocytes are increased in some rheumatoid arthritis patients, and their numbers may correlate with clinical disease activity and/or therapy.
Cooper
S M
SM
Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405.
Roessner
K
K
Ferriss
J A
JA
Baigent
G
G
Bakke
A C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D010894:Piroxicam