T Cell Link Confirmed in RA Lung Disease

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have discovered overly abundant T cells in sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis lung disease.

Researchers at the Rochester clinic found that specific T cells of the immune system were more abundant in tissue samples from patients with RA lung disease than in tissue samples from patients who have other forms of lung disease.

These cells, CD4 and CD3 cells, normally would protect the body against disease. Their abundance in patients’ lungs, however, suggests therapies specifically directed against T cells and T cell function could succeed where earlier therapeutic approaches did not.

Our work provides the evidence that was lacking, so from that standpoint it is a very helpful demonstration that hopefully will lead to the development of new treatment strategies for RA lung disease, said Dr. Carl Turesson, former Mayo Clinic research fellow now working at Malmo University Hospital in Sweden.

The researchers also found that computer-assisted image analysis aided in the detection of RA lung disease, allowing earlier diagnosis and treatment.

The research appears in Friday’s online version of the Jan. 13 edition of Arthritis & Rheumatism.