Citrullinated Autoantigen-Specific T and B Lymphocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Focus on Follicular T Helper Cells and Expansion by Coculture.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by circulating anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) autoantibodies (ACPAs), resulting in inflammation of the joints and other organs. We have established novel assays to assess immune cell subpopulations, including citrullinated antigen-specific (CAS) autoreactive B and T lymphocytes, in patients with RA.

Methods and results

We found that activated CD25⁺ T cells were markedly increased in patients with RA compared to healthy controls. Novel combinations of major histocompatibility complex class II citrulline epitope tetramers were developed, which enabled robust detection of CAS T cells and showed increases of CAS-naive T helper cells, Th1.17 cells, CAS total circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells, and

SUBMITTER: Ammon T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11755120 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature