Open AccessEstablishment and characterization of nurse cell–like stromal cell lines from synovial tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Takeuchi Eiji,
Tomita Tetsuya,
ToyosakiMaeda Tomoko,
Kaneko Motoharu,
Takano Hiroshi,
Hashimoto Hideo,
Sugamoto Kazuomi,
Suzuki Ryuji,
Ochi Takahiro
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/1529-0131(199902)42:2<221::aid-anr3>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - stromal cell , rheumatoid arthritis , clone (java method) , cytokine , medicine , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cell culture , cell , immunology , cancer research , biology , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Objective To investigate the features of synovial stromal cells established from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to define these cells as nurse cells. Methods Synovial nurse‐like stromal cell lines (RA‐SNCs) were established from patients with RA. These cell lines were examined for morphology, pseudoemperipolesis activity, cell surface markers, and cytokine production. The interaction between these RA‐SNCs and a synovial tissue B cell clone was also examined. Results RA‐SNCs had nurse cell activity. They spontaneously produced interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Furthermore, they produced IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor α and expressed higher levels of the other cytokines after coculture with the B cell clone. Proliferation and Ig production by the B cell clone were dependent on direct contact with RA‐SNCs. Conclusion These results indicate that the RA‐SNCs were nurse cells. The findings suggest that RA‐SNCs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA by producing large amounts of cytokines and maintaining infiltrating lymphocytes.