Rheumatoid synovial CD4+ T cells exhibit a reduced capacity to differentiate into IL-4-producing T-helper-2 effector cells

Arthritis Res. 2001;3(1):54-64. doi: 10.1186/ar140. Epub 2000 Nov 2.

Abstract

CD4+ memory T cells (Tm) from rheumatoid arthritis peripheral blood (RAPB) or peripheral blood from normal donors produced IL-2, whereas fewer cells secreted IFN-gamma or IL-4 after a brief stimulation. RAPB Tm contained significantly more IFN-gamma producers than normal cells. Many rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial Tm produced IFN-gamma alone (40%) and fewer cells produced IL-2 or IL-4. An in vitro model was employed to generate polarized T-helper (Th) effectors. Normal and RAPB Tm differentiated into both IFN-gamma- and IL-4-producing effectors. RA synovial fluid (RASF) Tm demonstrated defective responsiveness, exhibiting diminished differentiation of IL-4 effectors, whereas RA synovial tissue (RAST) Tm exhibited defective generation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 producers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / pharmacology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Middle Aged
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Synovial Membrane / immunology*
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Immune Sera
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens