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Functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in early rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

We carried out a prospective study on clinical variables and functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) of 20 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared the results with the presence of erosions before treatment and at a one-year follow-up. Migration of PMNs determined by agarose and filter assays and respiratory burst of PMNs determined by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) test were studied both before starting RA-modifying treatment and 6–12 (mean 7.3) months later. PMNs of the patients without erosions at one year, as compared to the patients with erosions, showed significantly depressed migration into filter and significantly depressed CL responses toN-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, both before starting the treatment and at 7.3 months. Although causality remains uncertain, the results suggest that depressed functional capacity of PMNs is associated with low risk of joint destruction in early RA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, SF-00290, Helsinki, Finland

    Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo & Heikki Repo

  2. Second Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4, SF-00290, Helsinki, Finland

    Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo & Heikki Repo

  3. KivelÄ Hospital, Sibeliuksenkatu 12-14, SF-00260, Helsinki, Finland

    Leena Paimela

  4. Finnish Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Kivihaantie 7, SF-00310, Helsinki, Finland

    Saija Koskimies

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  1. Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo
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Leirisalo-Repo, M., Paimela, L., Koskimies, S. et al. Functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in early rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation 17, 427–442 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916583

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