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. 1992 Aug;89(2):217–222. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1992.tb06935.x

Analysis of T cell receptors in rheumatoid arthritis: the increased expression of HLA-DR antigen on circulating gamma delta+ T cells is correlated with disease activity.

A Lamour 1, F Jouen-Beades 1, O Lees 1, D Gilbert 1, X Le Loet 1, F Tron 1
PMCID: PMC1554441  PMID: 1386297

Abstract

The phenotypic characteristics of peripheral blood T cells, isolated from 37 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 17 healthy controls were determined with special emphasis on gamma delta+ T cells and CD4-CD8- alpha beta+ T cells. Two- and three-colour automated flow cytometry analyses were performed using a panel of MoAbs directed against differentiation antigens and T cell receptor molecules. The results demonstrated: (i) no significant difference between the percentages of CD4-CD8- alpha beta+ T cells in patients and controls; (ii) a significant decrease of the gamma delta+ T cell level in the peripheral blood of RA patients relative to controls; (iii) phenotypic abnormalities of circulating gamma delta+ T cells in RA patients suggestive of an activation status in vivo. These abnormalities included a significant reduction in the density of the T cell differentiation antigen CD3 and an increase in the expression of HLA-DR antigen. The level of circulating HLA-DR+/gamma delta+ T cells was significantly higher in patients with active disease. HLA-DR+/gamma delta+ T cells were also present in the synovial fluid obtained from three patients with an active disease. In addition, preliminary experiments showed that the activated gamma delta+ T cells were predominantly V delta 1. Taken together, these data support the involvement of gamma delta+ T cells in the pathogenesis of RA.

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Selected References

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