Reduced Expression of the Complement Receptor Type 2 (CR2 CD21) by Synovial Fluid B and T Lymphocytes

Journal/Book: Z Rheumatol 1999; 58 Suppl. 1: I/23 (FE 5). 1999;

Abstract: 1Universität Konstanz Immunologie 5560 M660 Konstanz; 2Universitätsklinik Freiburg Klinische Forschergruppe Rheumatologie; 3Abteilung Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie Freiburg Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by signs of local inflammation chronic cartilage and joint destruction and immunologic abnormalities such as the occurence of rheumatoid factors and other autoantibodies. Most of the cells recruited into the rheumatoid joint are of haematopoietic origin. The increase in cellularity is accompanied by angiogenesis in the synovial tissue thus increasing delivery of cells and molecules to areas of inflammation. To study the differentiation stage of synovial fluid(SF) B lymphocytes in RA patients we analysed cell surface markers using specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry analysis. We found that the expression of CD21 was reduced on SF B lymphocytes compared to PB B lymphocytes taken from the same patient at the same time. A total of 51 patients entering the clinics requiring synovial tapping were examined for the cell surface expression of CD21 on their SF and PB B lymphocytes. In all cases the surface expression of CD21 was reduced or even absent on SF B lymphocytes irrespective of the type of arthritis the age or gender of the patient and the type of treatment. T lymphocytes from both compartments studied at the same time did not express detectable amounts of CD21 on their surface. Recently we published that peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells express amounts of CD21 mRNA similar to CD19+ B lymphocytes. In contrast CD21 protein could only be detected on the surface of B lymphocytes but not on the surface of T lymphocytes. ... le

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