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T Cells Cloned from Human Rheumatoid Synovial Membrane Functionally Represent the Th 1 Subset
Author(s) -
MILTENBURG A. M. M.,
LAAR J. M.,
KUIPER R.,
DAHA M. R.,
BREEDVELD F. C.
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.tb03260.x
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , clone (java method) , cytokine , synovial membrane , immunology , biology , cytolysis , microbiology and biotechnology , inflammation , in vitro , gene , biochemistry
The presence of activated T cells in the synovial membrane of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suggests a role for these cells in the pathogenesis of the disease, Recent evidence indicates that human T cells may fall into functional categories dependent on their cytokine profile and cytotoxic capacity. The human Th 1 subset is cytolytic and produces high levels of IFN–gamma whereas the Th2 type of T cell produces IL–4. In order to investigate whether Th 1 or Th 2 type cells are present in the inflammatory synovial membrane in RA. a panel of synovial membrane derived T–cell clones ( n =19) was generated and studied functionally. Anti–CD3–induced cytotoxicity assays were performed to demonstrate the cytotoxic potential of clones. Except for two, all clones were cytotytic in this lest. Clone cells were activated Io initiate cytokine production and assessment of the cytokine levels showed that all clones produced large amounts of IFN–gamma (18 out of 19 clones: over 50,000 pg/ ml) whereas IL–4 was absent or present in minimal amounts (17 out of 19 clones: less than 1000 pg/ml). The production of IL–1, IL–2 and IL–6 was variable. The functional characteristics of the clones studied indicate that they may resemble the Th 1 subtype of T ceils. Our data suggest a relation between Th1–type functions and the chronic inflammation characteristic of RA.