Evaluation of lymphocyte populations and their mitogenic activity in relation to serum copper and immunoglobulin levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Purified mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood and sera from 30 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were compared to the control or standard values in respect to the total number of B (EA) and T (E) rosette forming lymphocytes, their responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed (PWM) mitogen, and serum immunoglobulins, (C3) complement and copper levels. The RA patients had significantly lower values for EA cells, PWM stimulation index, hemoglobin and hematocrit. Significantly higher values for serum copper and sedimentation rates were found. Relatively higher values for IgG, M, A and C3 were found in RA patients with lower values for E cells.