T-CELL RECEPTOR ANALYSIS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT

Many clues point to a role for T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of rh eumatoid arthritis (RA), although the importance of these cells and th eir position within the rheumatoid pathogenic scheme remain unknown. E ncouraged by data from animal models of T-lymphocyte-mediated autoimmu nity, a major focus of research into the role of T lymphocytes in RA h as been the usage of T cell receptor V genes in rheumatoid synovitis. Despite many methodologic problems, involving choice of patients and c ontrols, choice of specimens, and technical factors, several conclusio ns can be drawn from the published research. In particular, synovial T lymphocyte populations, as a whole, frequently show biased V gene usa ge and restricted clonality within those T lymphocyte subsets that uti lize overrepresented V gene families. Continued research into these sy novial T lymphocyte subsets should provide important insights into the pathogenesis of RA, particularly if solutions to the identified metho dologic problems are implemented.