T lymphocyte subpopulations in synovial fluid in ankylosing spondylitis
Chou, C.T.; Lee, C.F.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 85(1): 26-29
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 3486941 Document Number: 279517
T lymphocyte subpopulation in synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood (PB) were examined and compared in 8 active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Monoclonal antibodies, OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 were used to measure the lymphocyte subpopulations. The results showed that the percentages of OKT3 and OKT8 cells were not significantly different in SF and PB in AS. However, a significant difference of OKT4 cells percentage and OKT4/OKT8 ratio between SF and PB were demonstrated. The percentage of OKT4 cells was lower in SF than in PB (.alpha. < 0.01) and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was also significantly lower in SF than in PB (.alpha. < 0.05). These findings are similar to previous studies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) although serum findings differed. The synovitis in AS could be mediated through similar immune mechanisms to RA.