title: Helper T cell function of rheumatoid synovial tissue lymphocytes.
abstract: The helper cell profiles of rheumatoid peripheral blood (PBT-RA), synovial fluid (SyT-RA) and synovial tissue (SyN-RA) T lymphocytes were compared both before and after irradiation with similarly treated normal peripheral blood T cells (PBT-N). Deficient helper cell profiles were noted in SyN-RA and were correlated with increased numbers of activated T lymphocytes in culture. Moderately reduced helper cell profiles were seen in PBT-RA and were the result of a functional lack of a radioresistant helper T cell and/or radiosensitive suppressor T cell. SyT-RA, however, showed normal or enhanced T helper cell profiles and similar numbers of activated T cells compared with PBT-RA. Activated helper T cells therefore play an important role in the local immune response in inflamed rheumatoid synovium.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens