Lymphocyte populations in the blood and synovial fluid in rheumatoid polyarthritis. Importance of cell electrophoresis
Ristori, J.M.; Sauvezie, B.; Chollet, P.; Chassagne, J.; Bussière, J.L.
Revue du Rhumatisme et des Maladies Osteo-Articulaires 46(7-9): 475-481
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2659 PMID: 504949 Document Number: 149129
We have studied the synovial and blood lymphocyte populations of 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Two methods have been used: the membrane markers (E rosette, active E, EA, EAC) and lymphocyte electrophoresis. The authors find no significant difference beteween the blood populations of the patients with the PR and that of the controls. On the other hand, the study of the synovial fluid shows a large number of lymphocytes T forming active rosettes having an electrophoretic mobility of about 1,10. In order to explain the presence of lymphocytes with high affinity for sheep red cells, and having a reduced electric charge in the synovial fluid, we propose two explanations: the first one is a selective filtration through the synovialmembrane of a physiological T subpopulation; the second one is a general modification of the lymphocyte membrane in relation with a stimulation or an intraarticular cellular alteration. In the discussion we report the arguments in favour of the two hypothesis.