title: Does cyclophosphamide combined with methylprednisolone affect the expression of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In the present study, in order to get a better insight into the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide (CY) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we monitored the changes in lymphocytes' expression of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). A group of 28 patients with refractory severe RA were treated with CY and methylprednisolone (MO) intravenously. Using flow cytometry we evaluated the changes in LFA-1 molecule expression on peripheral lymphocytes. In the analyzed group of patients the proportion of LFA-1 "dim" cells was reduced. After the treatment the ratio was partly normalized. Twelve months after cessation of the therapy high proportion of LFA-1 "dim" was observed only among CY/MP treated patients. The changes were related to clinical improvement. Based on the obtained data, it seems, that the treatment affecting the expression of LFA-1 may slow down lymphocyte migration and by that limit chronic inflammation within the synovium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Medical School, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lacki
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Müller-Ruchholtz
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008775:Methylprednisolone