Figure 5. Baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cells predict swollen joints before and after TNF blockade.

(a) Baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cells (as defined in Fig. 1) prior to initiation of TNF inhibitor therapy were correlated with number of swollen joints at baseline; (b) Baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cells were correlated with numbers of swollen joints at 5 months post TNF inhibitor therapy; (c) Baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cells were correlated with numbers of swollen joints at 1 year post TNF inhibitor therapy; (d) CXCR5⁺Th17 cell frequency at baseline in subjects with presence or absence of swollen joints at 1 year, bars represent mean ± SD; (e) ROC analysis showing sensitivity/specificity of baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cell frequency in subjects with and without swollen joints at 5 months and 1 year post-TNFi therapy.