The T cell receptor repertoire in psoriatic synovitis is restricted and T lymphocytes expressing the same TCR are present in joint and skin lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in psoriatic synovitis and to determine whether T lymphocytes in joint and skin lesions show the same Vbeta CDR3 region.


METHODS
The expression of Valpha and Vbeta families was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The CDR3 region of some Vbeta families was analyzed by cloning and sequencing.


RESULTS
We found a diverse variable beta chain usage within psoriatic synovial fluid of 11 patients although some Valpha and Vbeta families were more frequently expressed without evidence of clonality. Analysis of TCR in skin and synovial lesions of 3 patients showed identical CDR3 sequences, indicating that T cells bearing the same TCR are present at the 2 sites of chronic inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that common or similar crossreactive antigens present in the 2 locations are responsible for the expansion of the same TCR-bearing T cells possibly already activated by a superantigen. This supports the hypothesis that both polyclonal and oligoclonal lymphocyte activation contribute to the initiation and persistence of psoriatic arthritis.
Borgato
Lorena
L
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Verona, Italy.
Puccetti
Antonio
A
Beri
Ruggero
R
Codella
Orazio
O
Frigo
Antonio
A
Simeoni
Sara
S
Pacor
Maria Luisa
ML
Corrocher
Roberto
R
Lunardi
Claudio
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000150:complications*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011379:Prognosis; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018089:Superantigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D017252:CD3 Complex; D006680:HLA Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens