Increase of CD57+ T cells in knee joints and adjacent bone marrow of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: implication for an anti-inflammatory role

Abstract

The distribution of CD57+ T and CD56+ T cells in patients with RA was examined. In control osteoarthritis patients, these cells exist as a minor population in the peripheral blood. Our data show that in patients with RA, CD57+ T cell levels are elevated in peripheral blood, knee joint fluid, knee synovial membrane and bone marrow (BM), compared with peripheral blood of controls. CD57+ T cells are especially high in knee joint fluid and joint‐adjacent BM, while CD56+ T cells show no such increase. CD57+ T cells contain a major population of CD8+ cells and higher proportions of CD4−8− cells and γδ T cells than do CD57−T cells. CD57+T cells in peripheral blood and joint fluid increase with the duration of disease. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is inversely correlated with the proportion of CD57+T cells in the joint fluid. Although RA frequently occurrs in patients with CD3+57+ cell leukaemia, and some CD57+T cells are likely to be involved in the onset of RA, we suggest that CD57+T cells may rather suppress inflammation of RA, and other cellular components (e. g. granulocytes) may govern the severity of the inflammation of RA. These CD57+ T cells are probably generated extrathymically in the adjacent BM or joint space.

Involvement of CD4+,CD57+ T cells in the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis

“…However, some previous reports have provided data implying a suppressive role of CD57ϩ T cells against the inflammation of RA and other diseases, as well as against inflammation arising from normal immune responses (7,16). In contrast to our findings, Arai et al found an inverse relationship between ESR and the proportion of CD57ϩ T cells in the joint fluid of RA patients (7).…”

“…In contrast to our findings, Arai et al found an inverse relationship between ESR and the proportion of CD57ϩ T cells in the joint fluid of RA patients (7). The discrepancy between the findings of Arai et al and our current findings could be attributable to the difference in T cell subsets (CD4/ CD8) studied.…”

“…As has been previously reported (6,7), the frequencies of CD57ϩ T cells both in the CD4ϩ subset and in the CD8ϩ subset were significantly in- creased in RA patients (6.0% in CD4 subset, 32.6% in CD8 subset) compared with those in the controls (3.3% in CD4 subset, 20.9% in CD8 subset). Among the laboratory parameters studied, ESR had a significant correlation with the frequency of CD4ϩ,CD57ϩ T cells (Figure 1).…”

“…However, the role of CD57ϩ T cells in RA has been controversial. Some authors believe they play a role in activating RA (3,10,11), whereas Arai et al have suggested a suppressive role of CD57ϩ T cells in RA (7). In the present study, we clearly demonstrated that the proportion of CD4ϩ,CD57ϩ T cells in PBLs was positively correlated with scores assessing the patients' physical status, which include M-HAQ, VAS, and face scale.…”

“…The notion that there may be some association of CD57ϩ T cells with the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comes from the fact that the number of CD57ϩ T cells is often increased in the peripheral blood, joint fluid, and joint-adjacent bone marrow of RA patients (6,7). Moreover, the lymphoproliferative disorder of LGLs expressing both CD3 and CD57 antigens (T-LGL leukemia) is known to be complicated by the symptoms of RA (1).…”