ABSTRACT
This is an indirect study for the behaviour of T cell [T-Iymphocytes] particularly CD4+ T cell, in active and remitant rheumatoid arthritis disease, THl [cell mediated immunity] and TH2 [Antibody response] are the two major pathways of T cell differentiation and are mutually antagonistic. Their activities can be estimated through assessing the serum levels of their cytokines IL-2 and IL-I0 respectively. IL-2 and IL-I0 were estimated in the supernatant of Iymphocyte culture in the presence of phytohaemaglutinin before and after remission of the rheumatoid arthritis disease and it has been found a higher significant increase in IL-2 level in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis disease than the control group [P < 0.001], also there was a significant increase in IL-I0 level in patients group in comparison with the control group [P < 0.01], during remission of the disease, IL-2 level was significantly reduced [P < 0.001], while IL-I0 level showed no significant difference from its level prior to remission. It can be assumed that the effector cells in this disease are THl and measures designed to switch the predominant immune response from THl to TH2 might be effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis