Interleukin-10 expression: is there a neglected contribution of CD8+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis joints?
OBJECTIVE
To search for RA specific processes among T cell accumulation, T cell activation, or cytokine expression in CD4+ and CD8+ synovial fluid (SF) T cells.


METHODS
Flow cytometry of CD4+, CD8+, CD45RA+, CD45RO+, CD69 double or triple stained peripheral blood (PB) and SF T cells. IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma expression was determined in PMA + ionomycin stimulated T cells on the single cell level. Concentrations of secreted IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma were quantified in the sera and synovial fluids by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
A preferential recruitment of CD45RO+ memory T cells was found for CD4+ helper T cells, and in similar also for CD8+ suppressor T cells. An elevated CD69 expression was detected in memory, but also in CD45RA+ naive CD4+ and CD8+ SF T cells, whilst IL-2 expression was only demonstrable in a minor proportion of T cells populations. Preferential recruitment of memory T cells, but incomplete activation of naive and memory, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were in similar found in RA and control patients. In RA but not in the control patients, a relevant proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ PB and SF T cells expressed IL-10 and IFN-gamma. High concentrations of IL-10, that were correlated with the amounts of secreted TNF-alpha, were only detected in RA joints.


CONCLUSIONS
Memory and naive T cell state of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell accumulates in the joints, and early T cell activation occur in similar patterns in RA and control patients. High IL-10 SF concentrations in contrast, and elevated percentages of IFN-gamma and IL-10 expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the PB and SF were characteristic for RA. Here, CD8+ T cells may contribute to high IL-10 concentrations in RA joints.
Möller
B
B
Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Medizinische Klinik III, Frankfurt, Germany. B.Moeller@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Nguyen
T T
TT
Kessler
U
U
Kaltwasser
J P
JP
Hoelzer
D
D
Ottmann
O G
OG
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D016753:Interleukin-10; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens