ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • ACR Convergence 2021
    • ACR Convergence 2020
    • 2020 ACR/ARP PRSYM
    • 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting
    • 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
    • 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
    • 2017 ACR/ARHP PRSYM
    • 2016-2009 Meetings
    • Download Abstracts
  • Keyword Index
  • Advanced Search
  • Your Favorites
    • Favorites
    • Login
    • View and print all favorites
    • Clear all your favorites
  • Meeting Resource Center

Abstract Number: 1464

Numbers of Circulating CD4 Positive CD28null T Cells Are Increased in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Are Associated with Rheumatoid Factor Positivity but Not Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease

Sarah Skeoch1, John Waterton2, Yvonne Alexander3 and Ian N. Bruce4, 1Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology and NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, 2Bioimaging Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, 3Healthcare Science Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 4Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Inflammation and repair, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Meeting: 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), T cells

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Session Information

Session Title: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Human Etiology and Pathogenesis

Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)

Background/Purpose

CD4+ T cells which lack CD28 co-expression (CD28null cells) account for less than 2.5% of CD4+ T cells in healthy individuals. These cells are pro-inflammatory, resistant to apoptosis and have cytolytic properties. Increased circulating numbers are found in some RA patients and their presence is associated with extra-articular disease. In unstable angina patients, CD28null cells are independently associated with recurrent cardiac events and are thought to promote atherosclerotic plaque rupture.   The aims of the current study were to quantify CD28null cells in RA patients and to investigate the association with RA disease characteristics and subclinical cardiovascular disease.

Methods

RA patients with active arthritis, who were not taking a statin, were recruited to a prospective observational study. Clinical and serological evaluation of RA disease characteristics was undertaken including extra-articular involvement, the disease activity 28 score (DAS-28) and the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Presence of carotid plaque was evaluated using B-mode doppler ultrasound. Plaque was defined as 2 out of 3: intimal medial thickness>1.5mm, luminal protrusion, increased wall echogenicity.

CD28null cells were quantified using flow cytometry. In brief, fluorescently labelled CD45, CD28 and CD4 antibodies were added to whole blood. Following red cell lysis, flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of CD45+CD4+ lymphocytes which lacked CD28 expression. Presence of an expanded CD28null cell population was defined as >2.5% of CD45+CD4+ T cells lacking CD28 expression. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

91 RA patients were included in the study and 68 (74.2%) were female. Median (IQR) age and disease duration was 56(48, 62) and 9(4, 19) years respectively. 64 patients (70.3%) were rheumatoid factor positive and 74 patients (81.3%) were ACPA positive. 1 patient had a history of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Expanded CD28null cell populations were found in 28 patients (30.8%). Presence of CD28 null cells were associated with rheumatoid factor positivity (p=0.02) but not with ACPA positivity. No association was found with age, disease activity, HAQ, biologic use, extra-articular disease or with carotid plaque.

Conclusion

The current study confirms that this abnormal T cell subset is expanded in a significant proportion of RA patients. There was no association between CD28null cells and carotid plaque but these cells may contribute to plaque destabilisation and rupture rather than plaque development. Prospective evaluation of cardiovascular outcomes in this population is underway.


Disclosure:

S. Skeoch,
None;

J. Waterton,
None;

Y. Alexander,
None;

I. N. Bruce,
None.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

« Back to 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/numbers-of-circulating-cd4-positive-cd28null-t-cells-are-increased-in-patients-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-are-associated-with-rheumatoid-factor-positivity-but-not-subclinical-cardiovascular-disease/

Advanced Search

Your Favorites

You can save and print a list of your favorite abstracts during your browser session by clicking the “Favorite” button at the bottom of any abstract. View your favorites »

ACR Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium 2020

© COPYRIGHT 2022 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY

Wiley

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
  • Advanced Search
  • Meeting Resource Center
  • Online Journal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Permissions Policies