In:
The Journal of Rheumatology, The Journal of Rheumatology, Vol. 38, No. 8 ( 2011-08), p. 1569-1575
Abstract:
It was previously found that Th1 but not Th17 cells were predominant in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To verify whether this is a unique feature of CD4 T cells in RA joints, we performed comparative flow cytometric analysis of CD4 T cells in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) joints. Methods. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood (PB), synovial membrane (SM), and synovial fluid (SF) from a total of 18 RA and 12 OA patients. The expression of surface molecules and cytokine production of CD4 T cells was examined by a flow cytometer. Results. Most CD4 T cells in RA joints expressed memory/activation markers, such as CD45RO, HLA-DR, and CD69. CCR5 was highly expressed on CD4 T cells in SF but not in PB or SM. With regard to Th17-related molecules, CD4 T cells expressing CCR6 were not enriched in either SF or SM. In contrast, CD161-positive cells were abundant in the joint, many of which, however, produced interferon-γ but not interleukin 17A. Virtually all T cells in OA joints, although much less numerous than in RA joints, expressed activation markers. Th1 cells were predominant in both OA and RA joints, while there were a few Th17 cells. The frequency of Th17 cells in the joint tended to be lower in OA than RA. Conclusion. There was a quantitative but not qualitative difference in CD4 T cells, including the expression of activation markers and cytokine profiles, between RA and OA joints.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0315-162X
,
1499-2752
DOI:
10.3899/jrheum.101355
Language:
English
Publisher:
The Journal of Rheumatology
Publication Date:
2011
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