DISTRIBUTION OF T-CELL RECEPTOR-BEARING LYMPHOCYTES IN THE SYNOVIAL-MEMBRANE FROM PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Using immunohistology and monoclonal antibodies directed to the T-cell receptor (TCR) chains, we have analysed the distribution of TCR-bearing lymphocytes within the membrane of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Alkaline phosphatase staining for TCR αβ-bearing lymphocytes showed a distribution paralleling that of the total T cells. Staining for the TCR γδ chains revealed a moderate and rather homogeneous distribution of T γδ lymphocytes within the RA synovium. As evidenced by simultaneous staining for αβ and γδ receptors, the relative count of T γδ to αβ-expressing cells is close to the peripheral count (e.g. 5%), and lower than that previously observed in the synovial fluid. Interestingly, the peripheral type Vγ9-JγP rearrangement using the T γδ cell subset was relatively decreased in the synovial membrane, as compared to synovial fluid and peripheral blood, suggesting that the T γδ distribution in the rheumatoid synovium resembles a thymic-like situation. © 1990 Academic Press Limited.