Expansion of unusual CD4+ T cells in severe rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. The repertoire of T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by clonal expansion of selected CD4+ T cells, which are autoreactive and lack the expression of the functionally important CD28 molecule. The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of these unusual lymphocytes to the disease process. Methods. RA patients (n = 108) and normal controls (n = 53) were examined for the expression of CD4+CD28- T cells by 2-color fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Clinical data were ascertained by retrospective chart review. Results. The frequencies of CD4+CD28- T cells displayed a bimodal distribution, defining carriers and noncarriers in normal subjects and RA patients. In longitudinal studies, the noncarrier and carrier phenotypes were stable over time. Carriers of CD4+CD28- T cells accumulated in the RA population (64% versus 45%; P = 0.02). The expansion of CD4+CD28- T cells correlated with extraarticular involvement, but not with disease duration, antirheumatic treatment, or severity of joint destruction. The patient subsets with nodular disease (P = 0.02) and rheumatoid organ disease (P = 0.04) had the highest proportion of CD4+CD28- T cell carriers. The size of the CD4+CD28- compartment correlated with extraarticular progression of RA (P = 0.001 in nodular RA, P = 0.003 in rheumatoid organ disease). Conclusion. The bimodality of distribution of CD4+CD28- T cell frequencies is compatible with genetic control of the generation of these unusual T cells. In RA patients, CD4+CD28- T cells are not an epiphenomenon of the disease process, but predispose patients to developing inflammatory lesions in extraarticular tissues.     

Frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells correlate with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that is primarily driven by effector T cells, particularly Th17 cells, which are mainly contained within CD4+CD161+ T cells. Thus, we aimed to explore whether the frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells were correlated with RA disease activity.

Methods. The surface phenotype and cytokine production of blood were analyzed by flow cytometry in 52 RA patients and 17 healthy controls. The disease activity was evaluated by the 28-joint disease activity score.

Results. The frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells were increased in RA patients, and they were elevated in patients with active disease status compared to patients with low disease status. Furthermore, their frequencies were positively correlated with disease activity parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cell levels were able to distinguish disease activity with 60.7 % sensitivity and 87.5 % specificity, while CD4+CD161+ T cell levels showed 92.9 % sensitivity and 66.7 % specificity.

Conclusion. These results support the hypothesis that Th17 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RA and suggest that circulating CD4+CD161+ T cells are a potential biomarker of RA disease activity.     

Glucocorticoid treatment inhibits annexin-1 expression in rheumatoid arthritis CD4+ T cells

Objective. Annexin-1 (Anx-A1) has been recently shown to playa key role in T-cell activation and to be highly expressed inT cells from RA patients. Here, we investigated the effectsof glucocorticoids (GCs) on Anx-A1 expression in T cells invitro and in vivo. Methods. To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on Anx-A1expression, human peripheral blood T cells were incubated withDex and then analysed by real-time PCR and western blotting.Similar experiments were carried out in vivo by measuring Anx-A1levels in T cells from patients with RA before and after administrationof steroids. Results. Incubation of T cells with Dex decreased Anx-A1 levelsin a time-dependent fashion and almost abolished its expressionafter 12 h. Stimulation of T cells pre-incubated with Dex for12 h with anti-CD3/CD28 led to significant reduction of IL-2production. Addition of human recombinant Anx-A1 to Dex-treatedcells reversed the inhibitory effects of the steroids on anti-CD3/CD28-inducedIL-2 production. Treatment of RA patients with steroid decreasedAnx-A1 expression in T cells. Conclusions. GCs suppress Anx-A1 expression in T cells in vitroand in vivo. These results provide evidence for a novel pathwayby which steroids regulate the adaptive immune response andsuggest that Anx-A1 may represent a target for the treatmentof autoimmune diseases. KEY WORDS: Annnexin-1, Glucocorticoids, T cells, RA Submitted 5 September 2007; revised version accepted 28 January 2008.     

Polyfunctional Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific effector memory CD4+ T cells at sites of pleural TB

Pleural tuberculosis (TB) is a common presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection, and despite spontaneous resolution remains a strong risk factor for reactivation pulmonary TB in a majority of individuals. This study was undertaken to further understand the characteristics of immune cells at sites of pleural TB. A significant shift toward memory CD4+ T cells with an effector phenotype and away from na?ve CD4+ T cells in pleural fluid as compared to blood mononuclear cells was found. These data suggest that effector T cells are capable of migrating to sites of active TB infection and/or the differentiation to effector phenotype T cells in situ is highly amplified. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry analysis, a significant portion of MTB-specific CD4+ T cells in the pleural space were polyfunctional demonstrating two, three or four simultaneous functions including IFN-gamma, IL-2, TNF-alpha, and or MIP-1 alpha production. A greater proportion of these polyfunctional cells were of effector memory rather than central memory phenotype. The role of these polyfunctional MTB-specific CD4+ T cells at sites of pleural TB requires further study.     

Transition of late-stage effector T cells to CD27+ CD28+ tumor-reactive effector memory T cells in humans after adoptive cell transfer therapy

In humans, the pathways of memory T-cell differentiation remain poorly defined. Recently, adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes to metastatic melanoma patients after nonmyeloablative chemotherapy has resulted in persistence of functional, tumor-reactive lymphocytes, regression of disease, and induction of melanocyte-directed autoimmunity in some responding patients. In the current study, longitudinal phenotypic analysis was performed on melanoma antigen-specific CD8+ T cells during their transition from in vitro cultured effector cells to long-term persistent memory cells following ACT to 6 responding patients. Tumor-reactive T cells used for therapy were generally late-stage effector cells with a CD27Lo CD28Lo CD45RA- CD62 ligand- (CD62L-) CC chemokine receptor 7- (CCR7-) interleukin-7 receptor alphaLo (IL-7RalphaLo) phenotype. After transfer, rapid up-regulation and continued expression of IL-7Ralpha in vivo suggested an important role for IL-7R in immediate and long-term T-cell survival. Although the tumor antigen-specific T-cell population contracted between 1 and 4 weeks after transfer, stable numbers of CD27+)CD28+ tumor-reactive T cells were maintained, demonstrating their contribution to the development of long-term, melanoma-reactive memory CD8+ T cells in vivo. At 2 months after transfer, melanoma-reactive T cells persisted at high levels and displayed an effector memory phenotype, including a CD27+ CD28+ CD62L- CCR7- profile, which may explain in part their ability to mediate tumor destruction.     

趋化因子受体CCR4在活动期类风湿关节炎患者外周血CD4+T细胞表达的研究

目的 探讨活动期类风湿关节炎(aRA)患者趋化因子受体CCR4在外周血CD4+T细胞的表达及其意义,并对该表达与血清重要细胞因子水平的相关性进行研究.方法流式细胞计数方法对12例aRA患者和10名健康对照者外周血CD4+T细胞表面CCR4的表达情况进行检测;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测患者血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-10及干扰素(IFN)-γ的水平并记录患者相关临床及实验室资料.分析及评价aRA患者外周血淋巴细胞中CD4+CCR4+T细胞百分数(CD4+CCR4+T%)与TNF-α、IL-10、IFN-γ的血清水平及临床指标的相关性.结果 aRA组外周血CD4+CCR4+T%明显高于健康对照组(P＜0.01).aRA组血清TNF-α(P＜0.01)、IL-10(P＜0.01)及IFN-γ(P＜0.01)水平明显高于健康对照组.在检测的细胞因子中,aRA患者血清IL-10水平与CD4+CCR4+T%呈明显正相关关系(r＝0.66,P＜0.05).在临床指标中,CD4+CCR4+T%与aRA患者Lunsbury关节指数、血沉、C反应蛋白及血小板计数呈明显正相关关系(P＜0.05).结论 CCR4在CD4+T细胞趋化至病变关节过程中可能发挥重要作用;外周血CD4+CCR4+T%与血清IL-10水平密切相关;该百分数可以作为临床评价RA活动性的一个敏感指标.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.     

Th17细胞/调节性T细胞偏倚在类风湿关节炎中的意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL)-17+CD4+炎症性T细胞(Th17细胞)和Foxp3+CD4+调节性T细胞在类风湿关节炎(RA)的相互关系及可能机制.方法 采用前瞻性随机开放研究.测定RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞及Foxp3+CD4+T细胞的比例变化及其相关细胞因子转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平.结果 RA患者外周血IL-17+CD4+T细胞明显升高(P<0.01),而Foxp3+CD4+T细胞明显降低(P<0.01).同时,血清中IL-6、IL-23和IL-17水平明显升高(均P<0.01),而TGF-β水平无明显变化(P>0.05).结论 RA患者Th17细胞数量增高,而调节性T细胞数量减少,体内相关细胞因子的变化是引起上述改变的重要原因.