Augmented numbers of HLA-DR-positive T lymphocytes in the synovial fluid and synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: in vivo-activated T lymphocytes are potent stimulators in the mixed lymphocyte reaction
Førre, O.; Dobloug, J.H.; Natvig, J.B.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 15(2): 227-231
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9475 PMID: 6213027 Document Number: 188627
Twenty-40% of T-cells from synovial fluid and synovial tissue and 3-11% of the peripheral blood T lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) expressed HLA-DR antigens as detected by monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibodies in direct immunofluorescence. Synovial fluid and synovial tissue T lymphocytes had a stimulating capacity comparable to that of non-T cells in the allogeneic primary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The MLR was inhibited by monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibodies. This is apparently the 1st report on in vivo-activated T lymphocytes as stimulator cells in MLR. T-cells from synovial fluid and synovial tissue are probably locally activated by stimuli so far unidentified.