Figure 1  .

Comparison of accumulated TCR β gene clonotypes in different joints by RT-PCR/SSCP analysis. ST specimens were derived from four different joints of RA1 and two different joints of RA2-RA5, respectively. TCR β gene transcripts, amplified from each specimen by RT-PCR, were separated based on their single strand conformation polymorphism on a single gel to detect TCR β gene bands with identical migrating positions. Some of the distinct TCR β gene bands derived from different specimens were found to migrate to identical positions (indicated by asterisks). This indicates that T cells that possessed TCR β gene transcripts corresponding to these bands accumulated clonally in multiple joints. Results of representative three BV families (BV3, BV5S2 and BV14) are shown. Arrows indicate bands from which TCR β gene transcripts were recovered for determination of nucleotide sequences. The results of RA1 are shown as follows: (lane 1, PBLs; lane 2, ST from the left ankle; lane 3, ST from the right ankle; lane 4, ST from the left PIP; and lane 5, ST from the left elbow). The results of RA2-RA5 are shown as follows: RA2: lane 1, PBL; lane 2, ST from the right MP; lane 3, ST from the right knee. Similarly, RA3: lane 1, PBL; lane 2, ST from the right MP; lane 3, ST from the right elbow. RA4: lane 1, PBL; lane 2, ST from the right wrist; lane 3, ST from the left knee. RA5: lane 1, PBL; lane 2, ST from the right knee; lane 3, ST from the left knee.