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.
Burger
Danielle
D
Division of Immunology and Allergy, Clinical Immunology Unit, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. danielle.burger@hcuge.ch
Dayer
Jean-Michel
JM
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*