Open AccessCd8 high + (CD57+) T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Wang Eddie C. Y.,
Lawson Tom M.,
Vedhara Kav,
Moss Paul A. H.,
Lehner Paul J.,
Borysiewicz Leszek K.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780400208
Subject(s) - t cell receptor , cd8 , rheumatoid arthritis , immunology , t lymphocyte , t cell , beta (programming language) , flow cytometry , monoclonal antibody , antigen , pathogenesis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , immune system , antibody , computer science , programming language
Objective . To investigate the development and T cell receptor (TCR) usage of CD8+, CD57+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods . Three‐color flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to CD8, CD57 and different TCR V β gene products. Results . The proportion of CD8+ T cells expressing CD57 (CD57/CD8) was significantly higher in RA patients compared with age‐matched controls. Expanded TCR V β populations were more frequent, and were found in both RA patient—derived CD8 high +(CD57+) and CD8+, CD57– populations. TCR V β 5+ and TCR V β 13+ expansions were present at high frequency (5 of 26 and 7 of 26, respectively). TCR V β expansions in CD8 high +(CD57+) lymphocytes from RA patients were significantly larger than those in age‐matched controls (expansion index 2.38 ± 0.28, n = 41 and 1.63 ± 0.09, n = 32, respectively), and were stable over time. Conclusion . RA leads to an increase in the frequency of expanded CD8+ T cell subsets expressing selected TCR, due to expansion of TCR V β + populations in CD8 high +(CD57+) T cells. Their restricted TCR usage suggests potential specificity for RA antigens and, therefore, a potential role in the pathogenesis of RA.