T cell receptor Vbeta gene bias in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by studying the expression of T cell receptors (TCRs).


METHODS
T cell receptor Vbeta (TCR Vbeta) gene usage and expression were analyzed from synovial membrane and peripheral blood of 8 RA patients, 2 osteoarthritis patients and 2 accident amputees. The complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of 25 TCR Vbeta subfamily genes in unselected T cell populations were amplified semi-quantitatively by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The products were further studied by genescan for frequency of Vbeta usage.


RESULTS
The numbers of Vbeta subfamilies expressed by T cells from RA peripheral blood and synovial membrane were not significantly restricted. More importantly, biased Vbeta gene expression in RA synovium was observed and Vbeta6, Vbeta17, and Vbeta22 genes were the predominant subfamilies. It was noteworthy that the expression of Vbeta17 in RA synovium was significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data were consistent with the hypothesis that several antigen or superantigen-driven processes may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA.
Zhang
Zhuoli
Z
Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhang
Guozhu
G
Dong
Yi
Y
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019674:Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta; D006801:Humans; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology