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New Findings Reported from University of Arizona Describe Advances in Arthritis and Rheumatism

2012 DEC 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Cardiovascular Week -- Investigators discuss new findings in Arthritis and Rheumatism. According to news reporting originating from Tucson, Arizona, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most frequently occurring vasculitis in elderly individuals, and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to decipher the role of the major CD4+ T cell subsets in GCA and its rheumatologic form, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from the University of Arizona, "A prospective study of the phenotype and the function of major CD4+ T cell subsets (Th1, Th17, and Treg cells) was performed in 34 untreated patients with GCA or PMR, in comparison with 31 healthy control subjects and with the 27 treated patients who remained after the 7 others withdrew. Compared with control subjects, patients with GCA and patients with PMR had a decreased frequency of Treg cells and Th1 cells, whereas the percentage of Th17 cells was significantly increased. Furthermore, an analysis of temporal artery biopsy specimens obtained from patients affected by GCA for whom biopsy results were positive demonstrated massive infiltration by Th17 and Th1 lymphocytes without any Treg cells. After glucocorticoid treatment, the percentages of circulating Th1 and Th17 cells decreased, whereas no change in the Treg cell frequency was observed. The frequency of CD161+CD4+ T cells, which are considered to be Th17 cell precursors, was similar in patients and control subjects. However, these cells highly infiltrated GCA temporal artery biopsy specimens, and their ability to produce interleukin-17 in vitro was significantly enhanced in patients with GCA and patients with PMR and was correlated with a decrease in the phosphorylated form of STAT-1."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "This study is the first to demonstrate that the frequency of Treg cells is decreased in patients with GCA and patients with PMR, and that CD161+CD4+ T lymphocytes, differentiated into Th1 cells and Th17 cells, are involved in the pathogenesis of GCA and PMR."

For more information on this research see: Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes expressing CD161 are implicated in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica pathogenesis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2012;64(11):3788-3798. Arthritis and Rheumatism can be contacted at: Wiley-Blackwell, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Arthritis and Rheumatism - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1529-0131)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting M. Samson, University of Arizona, Steele Childrens Res Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.

Keywords for this news article include: Tucson, Arizona, Cardiology, Immunology, Vasculitis, Blood Cells, Lymphocytes, United States, Muscular Diseases, Rheumatic Diseases, Giant Cell Arteritis, Mononuclear Leukocytes, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Vascular Skin Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Arthritis and Rheumatism, Hemic and Immune Systems

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