Detection of T cells responsive to a vascular growth factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
The primary lesion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive synovitis characterized by proliferation of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells, and with perivascular lymphocyte aggregates. A nonhematopoietic growth factor, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), may induce many of the biological features found in rheumatoid synovium, including T cell activation. To determine if aFGF-responsive T cells are increased in RA, we developed an assay to measure the frequency of peripheral blood T cells that are costimulated by aFGF. The data indicate that the frequency of aFGF-responsive T cells is increased in RA and may change with disease activity and treatment.
Byrd
V M
VM
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. 37232, USA.
Zhao
X M
XM
Miller
G G
GG
Thomas
J W
JW
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1