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TCR γ/δ + Cell Subsets in the Synovial Membranes of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Author(s) -
SHEN Y.,
LI S.,
QUAYLE A. J.,
MELLBYE O. J.,
NATVIG J. B.,
FØRRE Ø.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1992.tb03221.x
Subject(s) - juvenile rheumatoid arthritis , synovial membrane , cd3 , t cell receptor , rheumatoid arthritis , immunology , arthritis , synovial fluid , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , t cell , membrane , pathology , chemistry , biology , antigen , immune system , in vitro , cd8 , biochemistry , alternative medicine , osteoarthritis
Using a peroxidase/anti‐peroxidase immnunohistochemical staining method, we examined sections of inflammatory synovial membranes from 13 patients with juvenile rheumatotd arthritis (JRA) and 11 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The relative numbers of TCRγ/δ + cells and the proportions of Vδ1 + and Vδ2 + subsets were recorded in the areas of the membranes most heavily infiltrated by CD3 + cells. In the JRA group, the majority (8/13) of the membranes had TCRγ/δ + cells which contributed between 5 and <10% of the total number of CD3 + cells. In the RA synovial membranes examined, 5/11 samples had between 5 and 10% TCRγ/δ + cells, but in another 5 TCRγ/δ + cells contributed to between 10 and 20% of CD3 + cells. No significant difference was noted between the two patient groups. However, the range of values found in the RA membranes appeared to be slightly higher in comparison to previously reported values for RA synovial fluid, peripheral blood and eluted synovial membrane T cells. Analysis of the relative proportions of the Vδ1 + and Vδ2 + subsets revealed a significant dominance of Vδ1 + cells in RA membranes and approximately equal numbers of the two populations in the JRA patients. As the majority of peripheral blood TCRγ/δ + cells use the Vδ2 segment this suggests a preferential homing or expansion of the Vδ1 + cells in hoth RA and JRA synovium. The overall distribution pattern of the TCRγ/δ + and Vδ1 + and Vδ2 + cells was also recorded. These cells mostly accumulated in the lymphoid‐like tissues and in the perivascular area in the tissues of both RA and JRA patients. Occasionally, augmented numbers of these cells were found in the subsynovial layer or in the loose connective tissue. In the majority of cases, only a few TCRγ/δ + cells were located in the synovial layer. The function and the possible pathogenetic importance of these TCRγ/δ + cells have not so far been determined.