PMID: 15229944Jul 2, 2004Paper

Quantitative analysis of immunohistologic features of very early rheumatoid synovitis in disease modifying antirheumatic drug- and corticosteroid-naïve patients

The Journal of Rheumatology
Jasvinder A SinghH Ralph Schumacher

Abstract

To describe the immunohistochemical features of very early rheumatoid synovitis in disease modifying antirheumatic drug- and corticosteroid-naïve patients. Eight patients presenting with oligoarthritis or polyarthritis, who later met American Rheumatism Association criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), underwent needle synovial biopsies of a knee joint within the first 6 weeks after onset of disease symptoms. Using antibodies to CD3, CD8, L26, CD68, and von Willebrand factor, a detailed quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was done. CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, L26+ B lymphocytes, and CD68+ macrophages were seen in 8/8 (100%), 7/8 (87%), 4/8 (50%), and 6/6 (100%) of synovial biopsies stained with the respective marker. There was a wide variation in number of positive cells between patients. CD3+ and CD8+ T cells were seen predominantly in perivascular areas, less often in a diffuse distribution, and not in aggregates. L26+ B lymphocytes were found in much smaller numbers compared with T lymphocytes. A mean of 67 vessels/mm2 was noted. No lymphoid aggregates were seen. In all cases, infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes was limited mainly to relatively superficial parts of synovium, i.e., within 1 to 2 hi...Continue Reading

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