Characterization of the hyporesponsiveness of synovial T-cells in rheumatoid arthritis: Role of chronic oxidative stress

It is commonly thought that autoreactive T-cells fulfill a central role in the chronic inflammatory response that occurs in the joints of patients wit h rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the accumulated T-cells in the joints of patients with RA are functionally suppressed compared with peripheral b lood T-cells. The mechanism that underlies this synovial T-cell hyporespons iveness and the possible role of this phenomenon in the pathogenesis of RA is the subject of this article. (C) 1999 Prous Science. All rights reserved .