Divergent effects of methotrexate on the clonal growth of T and B lymphocytes and synovial adherent cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

The availability of compounds within the joint fluid containing purines and pyrimidines may affect the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by modulating the overgrowth of T and B lymphocytes. Purines and pyrimidines are chemical compounds that form the chains of genetic material found in all cells. Researchers studied MTX treatment effects on joint fluid cells from patients with RA and T and B immune cells from healthy volunteers and patients with RA. They also tested MTX on two connective tissue cancer cell types and healthy connective tissue samples. MTX treatment blocked growth of B and T cells in both blood and joint fluid cells. Treatment of the T cells with a purine and pyrimidine reversed this effect and the cells grew. Up to half of the joint fluid cells grew even in the presence of significantly higher MTX levels than B and T cell treatment levels. MTX treatment on cancer cells that lacked a purine enzyme completely prevented cell growth.

Drug therapy, B cells, T cells, Methotrexate

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Multiple extra-articular synovial cyst formation: case report and review of the literature

Article Abstract:

Extra-articular synovial cysts are a rare inflammatory condition which appear related to rheumatoid arthritis. A 47-year-old man in Japan developed multiple cysts in the synovia of joints in his hands, foot, elbows, hips and knees. The swellings were warm, but not painful. The patient had arthritis of multiple joints and elevated rheumatoid factor in the blood, but x-rays did not show rheumatoid changes in the joints. Antirheumatic drugs were not effective. Multiple cystic synovitis has only been reported in Japanese patients, indicating a possible genetic, cultural or environmental cause.

Health aspects, Case studies, Abnormalities, Rheumatic diseases, Japanese, Japanese (Asian people), Synovial membranes, Synovial membrane, Synovitis

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Generation and molecular characterisation of monoclonal IgG4 rheumatoid factor from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Evidence suggests that an immune system response may be partly responsible for the presence of an immune factor called IgG4 rheumatoid factor (RF) frequently found in trace amounts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Immune cells from the blood of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis were duplicated and genetically analyzed. Those cells producing IgG4 RF contained mutations that may affect the immune process.

Rheumatoid factor

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