TY - JOUR
T1 - Functionally active NKG2A-expressing natural killer cells are elevated in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to psoriatic arthritis patients and healthy donors
AU - Van Bijnen, Sandra T A
AU - Cossu, Marta
AU - Roeven, Mieke W H
AU - Jansen, Tim L.
AU - Preijers, Frank
AU - Spanholtz, Jan
AU - Dolstra, Harry
AU - Radstake, Timothy R D J
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - OBJECTIVES:Natural killer cell receptors (NKR) have been implicated in rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) pathogenesis. To gain more insight into their role, we characterised NKR (co-)expression patterns on NK and T cells and NK cell function in RA and PsA. METHODS:The frequency of NK and T cells expressing killer like immunoglobulin (KIR) and NKG2 receptors and natural cytotoxicity receptors was assessed by 10-colour flow cytometry in peripheral blood of 23 RA, 12 PsA patients and 18 healthy donors (HD). NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production was assessed in 8 RA patients and 8 HD. RESULTS:In RA but not PsA, the frequency of NK cells (median; range) expressing NKG2A (42%; 14-81%) was elevated compared to HD (23%; 9-58%). NKG2A+ NK cells predominantly lack KIR, but display normal cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production. In contrast, RA patients with normal NKG2A+ NK cell frequency have less functional NK cells compared to HD. T cells expressing Fc-gamma receptor CD16 were elevated in RA (median 0.75%) versus HD (0.3%). Furthermore, T cells expressing the KIRs CD158ah in both RA (0.7%) and PsA (0.3%), and CD158e1e2 in RA (1.5%) were elevated compared to HD (0.2% and 0.4%, respectively). In RA, CD4+ T cells expressing the KIRs CD158ah, CD158b1b2j and CD158e1e2 were low (<2%) but significantly elevated compared to HD. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates the presence of an elevated, functionally active NKG2A+ KIR- NK cell population in RA. Together with an elevated frequency of NKR-expressing T cells, these changes may reflect differential pathogenetic involvement.
AB - OBJECTIVES:Natural killer cell receptors (NKR) have been implicated in rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) pathogenesis. To gain more insight into their role, we characterised NKR (co-)expression patterns on NK and T cells and NK cell function in RA and PsA. METHODS:The frequency of NK and T cells expressing killer like immunoglobulin (KIR) and NKG2 receptors and natural cytotoxicity receptors was assessed by 10-colour flow cytometry in peripheral blood of 23 RA, 12 PsA patients and 18 healthy donors (HD). NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production was assessed in 8 RA patients and 8 HD. RESULTS:In RA but not PsA, the frequency of NK cells (median; range) expressing NKG2A (42%; 14-81%) was elevated compared to HD (23%; 9-58%). NKG2A+ NK cells predominantly lack KIR, but display normal cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production. In contrast, RA patients with normal NKG2A+ NK cell frequency have less functional NK cells compared to HD. T cells expressing Fc-gamma receptor CD16 were elevated in RA (median 0.75%) versus HD (0.3%). Furthermore, T cells expressing the KIRs CD158ah in both RA (0.7%) and PsA (0.3%), and CD158e1e2 in RA (1.5%) were elevated compared to HD (0.2% and 0.4%, respectively). In RA, CD4+ T cells expressing the KIRs CD158ah, CD158b1b2j and CD158e1e2 were low (<2%) but significantly elevated compared to HD. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates the presence of an elevated, functionally active NKG2A+ KIR- NK cell population in RA. Together with an elevated frequency of NKR-expressing T cells, these changes may reflect differential pathogenetic involvement.
KW - NK cell receptors
KW - NK cells
KW - Psoriatic arthritis
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
KW - T cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84957940499&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 26411696
AN - SCOPUS:84957940499
SN - 0392-856X
VL - 33
SP - 795
EP - 804
JO - Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
JF - Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
IS - 6
ER -