High frequency of specific T cell receptor rearrangements in rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of synovial fluid T lymphocytes.

1. We have searched for rearrangements in the beta chain T cell receptor genes to identify clonal T lymphocyte populations in the synovial fluid of 10 patients with well established rheumatoid arthritis, using a T cell population unbiased by preselection. 2. Analysis of the restriction fragments with the beta chain constant region probe C beta 2 disclosed a rearranged band in 50% of cases (5/10). No significant differences in age, duration of the disease, treatment employed and presence of articular deformities or erosion upon X-ray examination were observed when patients with or without rearrangements were compared. 3. The rearranged band observed after BamH I digestion was of the same size in the 5 patients (14 kb). In addition, two patients presented a 10-kb rearranged band upon restriction with Hind III. 3. These data indicate that a significant number of rheumatoid arthritis patients probably present oligoclonal T cell proliferation of their synovial fluid lymphocytes.