Enumeration of T cell subsets and functional suppressor cell assays in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and HLA-B27-associated arthritis.
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have increased proportions of OKT-4+ (helper) T cells and diminished proportions of OKT-8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells in the peripheral blood. This phenomenon corresponds to diminished inhibition of B cell activation by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Seropositive RA patients show a broad range of OKT-8+ T cell proportions (9%-45%) in the peripheral blood, resulting in a mean level comparable to that in controls. Inhibition of T cell activation by suppressor cells in peripheral blood is greater in this group than in controls. HLA-B27-positive arthritis patients show no significant differences from controls with respect to markers and functional suppressor cell assays. In the synovial fluid of all patients both OKT-8+ T cell proportions and functional suppressor cell activity are greatly increased.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen