Influence of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy (Adalimumab) on regulatory T cells and dendritic cells in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether anti-TNF therapy could have an effect on dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.


METHODS
A four-colour flow cytometric technique was used to measure CD4+CD25+ T cells i.e. CD4+CD25high+ (regulatory T cells) and CD4+CD25low+ (activated T cells)), DCs as well as the in vitro, intracellular, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production of DCs.


RESULTS
Clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity decreased after anti-TNF treatment. Before anti-TNF therapy, RA patients demonstrated a decreased count of Th2-promoting lymphoid DCs as compared to controls and after anti-TNF therapy this decrease was sustained. Intracellular cytokine production was only found in the myeloid DCs population and there was a higher production of TNF-alpha and IL1-b as compared to healthy controls. Treatment did not alter this cytokine production. Before anti-TNF therapy, the percentage CD4+CD25+ T cells was significantly elevated in RA patients than in healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate anti-TNF to be a potent anti-inflammatory drug, as mirrored by the decrease in clinical and biological parameters as well as the decrease in activated CD4+ T cells. However, in this study no demonstrable effect on DCs and regulatory T cells was found.
Department of Immunology, Allergology and Rheumatology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
E J
EJ
Dombrecht
N E
NE
Aerts
A J
AJ
Schuerwegh
M M
MM
Hagendorens
D G
DG
Ebo
J F
JF
Van Offel
C H
CH
Bridts
W J
WJ
Stevens
L S
LS
De Clerck
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002469:Cell Separation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab; D008727:Methotrexate