Changes in CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in circulating blood and synovial fluid following filtration leukocytapheresis therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in the circulating blood and synovial fluid following filtration leukocytapheresis (LCP) therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A Cellsorba column packed with polyester fibers was used for the removal of circulating leukocytes. For patients with RA, filtration LCP or sham procedures were performed 3 times with 1 week intervals between procedures. T lymphocyte surface markers in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid were measured by flow cytometry. The proportions of activated CD4+ T cells (CD4+DR+, CD4+CD25+, and CD4+CD71+) and CD4+CD29+ T cells increased significantly in the peripheral blood, but the counts of these cells were significantly reduced in the synovial fluid after 2 treatment sessions in the LCP group. No significant changes were observed in the proportion of these cells in the control group. Our findings suggest that filtration LCP may cause a redistribution of activated T cells from affected joints into the circulating blood.
Hidaka
T
T
National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Suzuki
K
K
Matsuki
Y
Y
Takamizawa-Matsumoto
M
M
Okada
M
M
Ishizuka
T
T
Kawakami
M
M
Ohsuzu
F
F
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology