Time-resolved immune dynamics in rheumatoid arthritis under methotrexate therapy
Authors' conclusion
Together, these findings reveal an unexpectedly rapid and coordinated immune reconfiguration after MTX initiation and position early alterations in Tfh cells and plasmablasts as biomarkers of treatment response.
Study context
- Population
- Newly diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating methotrexate (MTX)validation cohort of 22
- Participants
- 6 participants
- Outcome
- Time-resolved immune changes under MTX
Methodological detailsprospective longitudinal, single-cell multiomics, independent validation cohort
- Prospective longitudinal
- Single-cell multiomics
- Independent validation cohort
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Rapid immune remodelling detectable as early as 3 weeks after MTX initiation, preceding clinical improvement
- T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and plasmablasts declined selectively in clinical responders but remained largely unchanged in nonresponders across independent cohorts and external datasets
- Functional plasmablast differentiation assays linked MTX treatment to impaired development
- Regulatory hubs associated with MTX exposure: LMNA, SCO2, GVQW3, GIMAP family members
Original publication
Time-resolved immune dynamics in rheumatoid arthritis under methotrexate therapy. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 11 June 2026. doi:10.
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