Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(3):122. doi: 10.1186/ar3008. Epub 2010 Jun 3.
T-helper (Th) lymphocytes contribute to arthritis pathogenesis by helping B cells to produce antibodies, by producing cytokines that activate effector cells involved in the destruction of cartilage and bone, and by contributing to osteoclast differentiation. There are murine models of arthritis, most notably collagen- and proteoglycan-induced arthritis, in which arthritis depends on T-cell recognition of antigens that are expressed in the joints. In spite of this, we still do not know the antigens recognised by arthritogenic Th cells in humans. Moreover, current evidence for Th cells exerting arthritogenic effector functions within the joints is only indirect.
辅助性 T 淋巴细胞（Th）通过帮助 B 细胞产生抗体、产生细胞因子激活参与软骨和骨破坏的效应细胞，以及促进破骨细胞分化，有助于关节炎发病机制。有许多关节炎的啮齿动物模型，最显著的是胶原和蛋白聚糖诱导的关节炎，其中关节炎依赖于 T 细胞识别在关节中表达的抗原。尽管如此，我们仍然不知道人类关节炎产生性 Th 细胞识别的抗原。此外，目前关于 Th 细胞在关节中发挥关节炎效应功能的证据只是间接的。
