Decreased influenza-specific B cell responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

As a group, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients exhibit increased risk of infection, and those treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy are at further risk. This increased susceptibility may result from a compromised humoral immune response. Therefore, we asked if short-term effector (d5-d10) and memory (1 month or later) B cell responses to antigen were compromised in RA patients treated with anti-TNF therapy.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were obtained from RA patients, including a subset treated with anti-TNF, and from healthy controls to examine influenza-specific responses following seasonal influenza vaccination. Serum antibody was measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The frequency of influenza vaccine-specific antibody secreting c

SUBMITTER: Kobie JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3334662 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature