title: CD8(+) T cells in human autoimmune arthritis: the unusual suspects.
abstract: CD8(+) T cells are key players in the body's defence against viral infections and cancer. To date, data on the role of CD8(+) T cells in autoimmune diseases have been scarce, especially when compared with the wealth of research on CD4(+) T cells. However, growing evidence suggests that CD8(+) T-cell homeostasis is impaired in human autoimmune diseases. The contribution of CD8(+) T cells to autoimmune arthritis is indicated by the close association of MHC class I polymorphisms with disease risk, as well as the correlation between CD8(+) T-cell phenotype and disease outcome. The heterogeneous phenotype, resistance to regulation and impaired regulatory function of CD8(+) T cells - especially at the target organ - might contribute to the persistence of autoimmune inflammation. Moreover, newly identified populations of tissue-resident CD8(+) T cells and their interaction with antigen-presenting cells might have a key role in disease pathology. In this Review, we assess the link between CD8(+) T cells, autoimmune arthritis and the basis of their homeostatic changes under inflammatory conditions. Improved insight into CD8(+) T cell-specific pathogenicity will be essential for a better understanding of autoimmune arthritis and the identification of new therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, 3508 AB Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Wijk
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I / Q000276:immunology; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D015235:HLA-B Antigens