title: In-vitro T cell mediated function in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In-vitro synthesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was measured after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in a short-term, serum-free culture system. Diminished responses were found in 16 out of 17 consecutive patients with active disease. Normal PHA responsiveness was recovered by assaying Ficoll-Hypaque isolated E rosette forming cells in serum-free medium, indicating basically normal T cell function in RA. Preincubation of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (or isolated E rosette forming cells) with sera obtained from patients with active RA for 30 minutes at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C blocked PHA responsiveness in 34 out of 43 tests. This suggests that serum blocking factors may be responsible for reduced T cell reactivity in RA.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins