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Definition of follicular helper T cell and cytokines expression in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess the role of synovial fluid (SF) CD4+T, CD19+B, follicular helper cells (Tfh), and cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

This study enrolled 16 patients with RA and 8 patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The frequencies of the SF CD4+ T, CD19+ B, Tfh cells, and Tfh subsets were assessed using flow cytometry. The medical condition in patients with RA was evaluated using The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI). Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured. The cytokines IL-4, IL-13, IL-21, and BLyS were measured by ELISA test.

Results

The percentages of SF CD4+T, CD19+B, and PD-1+CXCR5+ Tfh in RA patients were higher than those in OA patients. And the Tfh2 was the main subset among Tfh subsets. In addition, levels of IL-21 and BLyS were higher in patients with RA compared to patients with OA. Furthermore, the treatment of TNF-α inhibitors may be associated with decreased levels of SF Tfh.

Conclusions

Elevated SF Tfh, B cell, and cytokines expression profiles were observed in RA patients. Tfh2 was the major subset of the Tfh, and IL-21 and BLyS were significantly enhanced. Additionally, TNF-α inhibitors reduced Tfh in SF. Therefore, Tfh, B, and Tfh2 cells could play a significant role in the progression of RA.

Key Points

•Tfh cells in the synovial fluid are significantly higher in RA patients and are dominated by the Tfh2 subpopulation.

•Synovial fluid Tfh cells decrease in RA patients after anti-TNF-α treatment.

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Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Youth Foundation of China (No.81901662).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China

    Shaowei Pan, Tong Li, Shiyao Wu, Junyu Zhou, Shuangyun Tan, Jiaomei Cheng, Yuzi Tian & Xiaoli Zhang

  2. The Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, China

    Shaowei Pan & Huali Zhang

  3. Sepsis Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, China

    Shaowei Pan & Huali Zhang

  4. National Medicine Functional Experimental Teaching Center, Central South University, Changsha, China

    Shaowei Pan & Huali Zhang

  5. National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China

    Xiaoyu Xiao, Tong Li, Shiyao Wu, Junyu Zhou, Shuangyun Tan, Jiaomei Cheng, Yuzi Tian & Xiaoli Zhang

  6. Department of Nutrition, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

    Xiaoyu Xiao

  7. Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China

    Tong Li, Shiyao Wu, Junyu Zhou, Shuangyun Tan, Jiaomei Cheng, Yuzi Tian & Xiaoli Zhang

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  1. Shaowei Pan
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Contributions

Shaowei Pan and Xiaoli Zhang wrote the main manuscript text. Jiaomei Cheng, Yuzi Tian, and Shuangyun Tan collected the patient’s samples. Xiaoyu Xiao and Huali Zhang participated in the revision of the main manuscript text. Junyu Zhou prepared Figs. 3–5. Tong Li and Shiyao Wu guided the revision of the article and sample size calculation. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoli Zhang.

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Shaowei Pan and Xiaoyu Xiao contributed equally.

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Pan, S., Xiao, X., Li, T. et al. Definition of follicular helper T cell and cytokines expression in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 43, 129–135 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-023-06772-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-023-06772-9

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