Influence of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy (Adalimumab) on regulatory T cells and dendritic cells in rheumatoid arthritis

CER2719
2006 Vol.24, N°1
PI 0031, PF 0037
Full Papers

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

PMID: 16539816 [PubMed]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To investigate whether anti-TNF therapy could have an effect on dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
METHODS:
A four-colour flow cytometric technique was used to measure CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells i.e. CD4⁺CD25^high+ (regulatory T cells) and CD4⁺CD25^low+ (activated T cells)), DCs as well as the in vitro, intracellular, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production of DCs.
RESULTS:
Clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity decreased after anti-TNF treatment. Before anti-TNF therapy, RA patients demonstrated a decreased count of Th2-promoting lymphoid DCs as compared to controls and after anti-TNF therapy this decrease was sustained. Intracellular cytokine production was only found in the myeloid DCs population and there was a higher production of TNF-α and IL1- b as compared to healthy controls. Treatment did not alter this cytokine production. Before anti-TNF therapy, the percentage CD4⁺CD25^low+ T cells was significantly elevated in RA patients than in healthy controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results demonstrate anti-TNF to be a potent anti-inflammatory drug, as mirrored by the decrease in clinical and biological parameters as well as the decrease in activated CD4⁺ T cells. However, in this study no demonstrable effect on DCs and regulatory T cells was found.