About molecular characteristic peripheral blood lymphocytes in pts with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To study lymphocytes phenotype in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its changes during methotrexate (MT) therapy. Methods. 24 RA pts with high clinical and laboratory activity of the disease and 18 healthy donors (control group) were included. All patients received MT 7,5-15 mg/week. They were followed up for 6 months. Expression of CD3, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD16, CD18, CD19, CD20, CD25, CD26, CD50, CD54, HLA DR, CD95 on peripheral blood lymphocytes was assessed before and after treatment by immunofluorescence method. Results. There was decreased expression of CD8, CD18, and CD50 in RA patients vs control. MT treatment resulted in reduction of CD 50 and CD 26 expression on lymphocytes. Conclusion. Peripheral blood in RA is characterized by decrease of CD8+ lymphocyte percent. Reduction of CD 18 and CD50 adhesion molecules expression may be connected with migration of appropriate effector cells bearing these molecules on there surface into inflamed synovial membrane. Treatment with MT decreased expression of some adhesion molecules. Decrease of CD 26 lymphocytes activation marker expression is one of the mechanisms of MT antirheumatic action.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• methotrexate
• leucocyte phenotype