title: Analysis of T cell subsets in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis by means of monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: In an attempt to define the immunoregulatory mechanisms operating in rheumatoid arthritis we have enumerated T cell subsets in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with this disease. The peripheral blood analysis revealed an elevation of the ratio of inducer T cells (OKT4 positive) to suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT5 positive) in patients with clinically active rheumatoid arthritis when compared with normal persons. This was due to a reduction in the percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes in these patients. The synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis differed from the peripheral blood in 2 respects. Firstly, synovial fluid was characterised by a lower helper: suppressor ratio due to an increased number of suppressor/cytotoxic cells, and, secondly, it contained an increased number of activated T cells bearing HLA DR antigens. The majority of these activated T cells belonged to the helper/inducer T cell subset.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II