The role of human T-lymphocyte-monocyte contact in inflammation and tissue destruction.
Contact-mediated signaling of monocytes by human stimulated T lymphocytes (TL) is a potent proinflammatory mechanism that triggers massive upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These two cytokines play an important part in chronic destructive diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. To date this cell-cell contact appears to be a major endogenous mechanism to display such an activity in monocyte-macrophages. Since TL and monocyte-macrophages play a pivotal part in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, we investigated the possible ligands and counter-ligands involved in this cell-cell interaction. We also characterized an inhibitory molecule interfering in this process, apolipoprotein A-I. This review aims to summarize the state of the art and importance of contact-mediated monocyte activation by stimulated TL in cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis and mechanisms that might control it.
Division of Immunology and Allergy, Clinical Immunology Unit, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. danielle.burger@hcuge.ch
Danielle
D
Burger
Jean-Michel
JM
Dayer
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*