Figure 3.
DNA instability in naïve RA T cells. Unprimed, naïve CD4 T cells isolated from RA patients carry a high load of damaged DNA (right panel, RA). Broken DNA is identified by the comet assay, a single cell gel electrophoresis assay in which DNA fragments leaking from the nucleus form a comet. DNA damage can be quantified for individual cells as a tail moment. Naive CD4 T cells from age-matched control individuals have low levels of tail moments (left panel, Con).
From Weyand CM, Fujii H, Shao L, Goronzy JJ. Rejuvenating the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2009;5:587, with permission.