Open AccessHigh‐affinity interleukin‐2 receptors on blood lymphocytes are decreased during active rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Emery Paul,
Wood Nigel,
Gentry Kay,
Stockman Alex,
Mackay Ian R.,
Bernard Ora
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780310914
Subject(s) - rheumatoid arthritis , receptor , interleukin 2 , immunology , stimulation , medicine , endocrinology , lymphocyte , immunity , immune system
The expression of receptors for interleukin‐2 (IL‐2R) was examined in patients with active or inactive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in control subjects. Unstimulated blood lymphocytes from patients with active RA had increased levels of total IL‐2R, as measured by Tac‐positive cells, compared with the levels found in the other 2 groups. Mitogen‐stimulated cells from patients with active RA expressed less IL‐2R per cell, but the most striking feature was the failure to express high‐affinity IL‐2R. These changes could reflect persistent antigenic stimulation and explain the defective cell‐mediated immunity in RA patients.