Rheumatoid T lymphocyte MHC class II expression: in vitro stimulation produces normal MHC class II expression, independent of proliferation.

MHC Class II mediated immune responses, such as tuberculin PPD, are often subnormal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated peripheral blood T lymphocyte proliferation and Class II expression after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, OKT3 and tuberculin PPD, using double label immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. No difference was found in the percentage of Class II positive T lymphocytes or intensity of fluorescence of Class II between matched controls and patients with RA. A disparity between Class II expression and proliferation was noted, particularly in the 50% of patients with RA with poor proliferation to PPD, who showed normal Class II expression, indicating that these 2 functions are under separate control.