ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the difference between T cells in the synovial fluid and peripheral blood in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Method Samples from 22 patients were studied. The differentiation and activation markers expressed on T cell surface were detected by immunofluorscence using flow cytometer. The specific proliferation of collagen Ⅱ and heat shock protein 70 was analyzed using standard 3H-TdR incorporation method. Restricted V beta usage of these T cell was analyzed by semi-quantitied RT-PCR. Results The majority of the T cell subsets in the synovial fluid were demonstrated to be CD4 and CD8 positive cells in which (40?10)% were CD4 positive and (36?16)% were CD8 T cells respectively. The ratio between CD4 and CD8 was much lower than that found in the PBL of RA patients. The percentage of CD3+/CD25+ T cells was (16?6)%. The specific proliferation of collagen Ⅱ and HSP70 to CD3+/CD25+ T cell was higher than that of CD3+/CD25+ negative T cells. The T cell receptor expressed on the T cells from both peripheral blood and synovial fluid were tested for ?? TCR (70?26)%. However, the T cells in the synovial fluid showed V?14,16 and 17 restriction. Conclusion The data here reported indicates that T cell subsets in the synovial fluid and peripheral blood circulation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are different. The T cells in the synovial fluid demonstrates more activation and higher reactivation to collagen Ⅱ and HSP70. The TCR of T cells showes V?14,16 and 17 restriction.