Identification of CD4(+) T-cell-derived CD161(+) CD39(+) and CD39(+)CD73(+) microparticles as new biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: This study aimed to identify CD4(+) T-cell-derived microparticles (MPs) and investigate their roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Synovial fluids from 34 RA, 33 osteoarthritis patients and 42 healthy individuals were analyzed by flow cytometry. Human fibroblast-like synoviocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with or without isolated MPs, chemokines and cytokines were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS: CD4(+)CD161(+)CD39(+) and CD4(+)CD39(+)CD73(+) MPs were abundantly present in RA patients, which were positively or negatively correlated with RA features, respectively. Chemokines CCL20, CCL17 and CCL22, and cytokines IL-17 and IL-10 were influenced by these MPs in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS) or PMBCs.

CONCLUSION: CD4(+) T-cell-derived CD161(+)CD39(+) and CD39(+)CD73(+) MPs could serve as new reciprocal biomarkers for RA evaluation.