SUPEROXIDE PRODUCTION FROM CYTOKINE-TREATED ADHERENT RHEUMATOID NEUTROPHILS

We have compared superoxide (O-2(-),) production from cytokine-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs. control neutrophils (PMN). Exposure of adherent peripheral blood PMN to cytokines known to be present in RA j oints (LL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF) resulted in enhanced O-2(-) produ ction from both RA and controls. With few exceptions, we did not find significant differences in enhanced O-2(-) production, between RA and controls. By enhancing O-2(-) production from PMN adherent to articula r cartilage, cytokines may influence the potential for joint damage in RA.