Arthritis progressors have a decreased frequency of circulating autoreactive T cells during the at-risk phase of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors' conclusion
Our data lend support to citrullinated tenascin-C as an interesting T cell antigen in RA. Moreover, lower frequency of circulating citrulline-specific cells in arthritis progressing individuals suggest an initiated homing of these cells to the joints and/or their associated lymph nodes in the pre-RA phase
Study context
- Population
- Anti-CCP2 positive individuals (HLA-DRB1*04:01) with musculoskeletal complaints without clinical or US signs of synovitis
- Participants
- 20 individuals
- Comparison
- Arthritis progressors vs matched non-arthritis progressors
- Arthritis progressorsn = 10
- Non-progressorsn = 10reference
Methodological detailslongitudinal samples (1-3 time points), matched, HLA-class II tetramers with >20-colour spectral flow cytometry
- Longitudinal samples (1-3 time points)
- Matched
- HLA-class II tetramers with >20-colour spectral flow cytometry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Baseline CD4+ T cell phenotype (Th1, Th17, T-peripheral, T-regulatory, activation markers) similar between progressors and non-progressors
- Citrulline-reactive CD4+ T cells present in both groups but at significantly lower frequency in progressors
- Cit-tenascin-C-specific CD4+ T cells most frequent among progressors; frequencies diminished during follow-up, closer to arthritis onset
- PD-1 and CD95 expression on memory cit-tenascin-C-specific T cells in progressors indicated repeated antigen exposure
Original publication
Arthritis progressors have a decreased frequency of circulating autoreactive T cells during the at-risk phase of rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open. Published 18 November 2024. doi:10.
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