title: Therapy with infliximab decreases the CD4+CD28- T cell compartment in peripheral blood in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Chronic inflammatory syndromes such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with high frequencies of CD4+CD28- T cells. The number of these cells is genetically determined and may also be a consequence of chronic exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). The aim of this study was to examine whether the reported efficacy of anti-TNFalpha therapy in RA involves a resurgence of T cell populations that re-express CD28. After 36-week therapy with infliximab, a significant decrease in CD4+CD28- T cells in RA patients was observed in comparison with baseline. The results suggest that TNFalpha-neutralizing therapy may restore T cell homeostasis and reduce expansion of the CD28- T cells, which are cytotoxic and may contribute to organ manifestations in RA.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D000069285:Infliximab