In vivo T cell depletion in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased in vitro IgM-rheumatoid factor synthesis.

Abstract

T cell depletion has been demonstrated to have therapeutic potential in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and several agents which deplete or inactivate T cells are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. We treated six patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with one such agent, the murine IgG1 anti-CD5 immunoconjugate CD5 Plus, as part of a multicenter trial. Measurement of in vitro synthesis of IgM and IgM-rheumatoid factor by peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from patients before, during, and after treatment, was performed using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Subsets of T and B lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometry. Significant T cell depletion was observed on Days 2 and 5 during the treatment period and was associated with increased in vitro rheumatoid factor (RF) production on Days 5 and 8 in 4 of the 5 patients with significant pretreatment levels of RF synthesis. No apparent relationship to serum RF levels or clinical responses was noted. These results implicate a role for T cells in the control of IgM-RF production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Authors: N J Olsen, G P Teal, V Strand
• Journal: Clinical immunology and immunopathology (Clin Immunol Immunopathol) Vol. 67 Issue 2 Pg. 124-9 (May 1993) ISSN: 0090-1229 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7686090 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• CD5 Antigens
• Immunoglobulin M
• Rheumatoid Factor

Topics

• Adult
• Antigens, CD (analysis)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD5 Antigens
• Cells, Cultured
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin M (biosynthesis)
• Lymphocyte Depletion
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Rheumatoid Factor (biosynthesis)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)