Effect of sulfasalazine on B cell hyperactivity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of sulfasalazine on B cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Reversed hemolytic plaque assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation were measured.


RESULTS
B cells from patients with RA showed hyperactivity to stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. Sulfasalazine significantly inhibited this B cell hyperactivity in a dose dependent manner. The kinetic study and a decrease in 3H-thymidine incorporation on Day 3 indicate that sulfasalazine inhibited the early phase (0-48 h) of B cell proliferation in these patients. Sulfapyridine also inhibited B cell hyperactivity in these patients, but 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetylsulfapyridin had no significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Sulfasalazine exhibited a direct immunosuppressive effect on B cell hyperactivity in patients with RA, which may be responsible for its therapeutic effectiveness in this disorder.
Imai
F
F
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical School, Japan.
Suzuki
T
T
Ishibashi
T
T
Tanaka
M
M
Akiyama
Y
Y
Dohi
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D012460:Sulfasalazine