Identification of Clonal T Cells in the Blood of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Clonal T Cells in the Blood of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

“…5 Our study also demonstrated a marked frequency (34%) of clonally expanded T cells in the peripheral blood samples from patients with SSc compared with the general population. Our findings therefore confirm the data of previous authors who have observed clonal T-cell populations in samples of blood 1 and numerous organs (eg, skin and lungs) of 20% to 56% patients with SSc. [6][7][8] Previous authors 1,[6][7][8] have also suggested that clonal populations of T cells may have a role in the pathogenesis of SSc.…”

“…2005;141:88-89 I N A PROSPECTIVE STUDY, FRENCH et al 1 found that clonal T cells are frequently detected in peripheral blood samples from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In their series, expanded clonal T cells were found in 6 (46%) of 13 peripheral blood samples from patients with SSc, whereas no clonal T cells were found in the control group.…”

“…In their series, expanded clonal T cells were found in 6 (46%) of 13 peripheral blood samples from patients with SSc, whereas no clonal T cells were found in the control group. 1 The authors suggested that clonal T cells may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SSc. 1 These data prompted us to conduct a prospective study (1) to evaluate the prevalence of a T-cell clonal population in peripheral blood samples from patients with SSc and (2) to determine a possible relationship between both clinical and biological parameters of patients with SSc and the presence of a T-cell clonal population in peripheral blood samples.…”

“…1 Analysis of T-cell receptor ␥ gene rearrangement using polymerase chain reaction and denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (TCR-␥ PCR DGGE) was performed as previously described. Thirty-eight consecutive patients with a definite diagnosis of SSc were included in the study.…”

Is systemic sclerosis an antigen‐driven T cell disease?

“…An increased proportion of peripheral blood V ␦ 1 T cells exhibited activation antigens (61), and junctional region lengths were found to be skewed, which was suggestive of oligoclonal expansion of ␥/␦ TCRϩ T cells (62). Non-germline ␦-chain TCR rearrangements have also been reported (63) and suggest the presence of oligoclonal ␥/␦ TCRϩ T cells.…”