Lymphocyte stimulation by gangliosides, cerebrosides and basic protein in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), patients with neurological diseases (ND) and healthy children were tested for reactivity to gangliosides, cerebrosides and basic protein (BP) by the active E-rosette test (AER). None of the lymphocytes from ND patients, healthy children or two children with psoriatic arthritis responded by increased rosette formation to gangliosides, cerebrosides and BP. Lymphocytes from all 16 children with JRA were sensitized to at least one antigen as shown by the AER test. The percentage of active T-cells was significantly lower (p less than or equal to 0.05)( in children with JRA as compared to others. The significance of the results in relation to immunopathogenesis of JRA is discussed.