Insulin-like growth factor I receptor density on CD4+T-lymphocytes from active early steroid- and DMARD-naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients is up-regulated and not influenced by 1 year of clinically effective treatment

• DOI: 10.1007/s00296-010-1683-z
• Publication Date: 2011-01-18T13:51:11Z
• Authors: Trine Bay Laurberg; Torkell Ellingsen; Jonas Thorsen; Bjarne Kuno Møller; Ib Hansen; Ulrik Tarp; Merete Lund Hetland; Kim Hørslev-Petersen; Allan Flyvbjerg; Jan Frystyk; Kristian Stengaar...
• Keywords: Adult; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Male; Drug Synergism; Middle Aged; Receptor, IGF Type 1; Up-Regulation; 3. Good health; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Antirheumatic Agents; Humans; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Steroids; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Aged

The IGF-IR density on CD4+T-lymphocytes was studied using flow cytometry in 40 early steroid- and DMARD-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients before and after 52 weeks of treatment with methotrexate+placebo or methotrexate+cyclosporine A and in 15 controls. RA patients had increased IGF-IR density on CD4+T-lymphocytes at week 0 and week 52, irrespective of treatment. IGF-IR-positive CD4+T-lymphocytes fraction decreased during treatment, but neither at week 0 nor at week 52 did it differ from healthy controls. No correlations were found to disease activity parameters.