[T and B lymphocyte subpopulations with HLA-DR surface molecules in rheumatoid arthritis, using a monoclonal lymphocytotoxic antibody. Poorly and highly developed rheumatoid arthritis].

The T and B lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a monoclonal anti I-E/CK antibody produced by cell hybridation. This antibody recognized HLA-DR "cross-reactive" molecules on the lymphocytes it attacked. The percentage of T cells which were HLA-DR positive was not significantly raised. Taking into account the fall in the T lymphocytes seen in the course of rheumatoid arthritis, the proportion of this sub-population does not seem to be altered when taking the overall picture into account. Similarly the B lymphocytes do not seem to be significantly altered. Nevertheless the heterogeneity of the levels found in all the DR positive sub-populations allows us to suppose that rheumatoid arthritis as we recognize it contains immunologically distinct entities.