The cytotoxic analysis of T cell receptor Vδ+ T cell lines derived from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients

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Abstract
We established six human T cell lines derived from rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid (RASF). Phenotypically, T cell receptor (TCR) αδ T cells occupied the majority of these lines and most of them expressed the TCR Vi5l molecule. In contrast, Vδ2+ T cells, the majority population of peripheral blood 76 T cells, were rarely detected in these lines. To study the immunobiological roles of RASF Vδ1+ T ceils in RA development, their cytotoxic profile was studied. The results showed that these T cells selectively lysed Daudi, but not K562 cells. The cytotoxic response was MHC‐unrestricted, and was inhibited by anti‐CD3 MoAb. Moreover, the cold target inhibition assay showed that the cytotoxicity was competitively inhibited by autologous and allogeneic primarily cultured RA synovial cells as well as synovial sarconui and chondrosarcoma lines. However, PBL did not inhibit this cytotoxicity‐ These data suggest that Vδ1+ T cells in RASF may recognize the antigen which is commonly expressed on the surface of Daudi and the cells derived from RA synovium. We can assume that the cytotoxic Vδ1+ T cells are selectively expanded in RASF, playing a significant role for the pathogenesis of certain RA cases.