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Stimulation of whole blood cultures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by a mitogen derived fromMycoplasma arthritidis (MAS) and other mitogens

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Abstract

In this study we compared cytokine production and cell proliferation of immunocompetent cells derived from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) to those from healthy blood donors using a whole blood assay. To this end, blood cell cultures were stimulated with the superantigens MAS (Mycoplasma arthritidis supernatant) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and the plant lectins phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A). The number of white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocyte subsets were also determined. Cell proliferation and levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured after stimulation with the different mitogens. An ELISA test was used to analyse supernatant cytokine levels. Individuals with AS showed significantly lower IFN-γ concentrations and markedly lower cell proliferation rates with all tested mitogens than healthy controls, while there was no significant difference in IL-6 synthesis. IL-Iβ levels were slightly impaired in the patient group, but only blood cell cultures stimulates with MAS showed a statistical significance. Furthermore, there was a significant elevation of leucocytes and lymphocytes in patients with AS resulting in higher numbers of CD4-positive cells, which implies a higher CD4:CD8 cell ratio. CD19- and CD8-positive cells were not significantly distinct compared to healthy controls. This deviation in cytokine levels and cell proliferation points to a suppression of T lymphocytes. A disturbed T-lymphocyte function may play a part in the pathogenesis of AS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Lübeck Medical School, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Lübeck, Germany

    J. -M. Brand, P. Neustock, A. Kruse, L. Alvarez-Ossorio & H. Kirchner

  2. Centre for Rheumatology at Bad Bramstedt, Oskar-Alexander-Straße 26, D-24572, Bad Bramstedt, Germany

    A. Schnabel

  3. Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Lübeck, Germany

    J. -M. Brand

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  1. J. -M. Brand
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  2. P. Neustock
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  4. L. Alvarez-Ossorio
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  5. A. Schnabel
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  6. H. Kirchner
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Brand, J.M., Neustock, P., Kruse, A. et al. Stimulation of whole blood cultures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by a mitogen derived fromMycoplasma arthritidis (MAS) and other mitogens. Rheumatol Int 16, 207–211 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01330297

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01330297

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