[Up-expression of ICOS and PD-1 on peripheral CD3⁺CD8⁺ effector memory T cells and Tfh cells are associated with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and inducible costimulatory molecules (ICOS) on peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine its relationship with disease severity. Methods The study included 30 RA patients and 26 healthy people. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of CD3⁺CD8⁺ effector memory T cells (Tem) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in peripheral blood, and then to detect the proportion of PD-1 and ICOS-positive cells in lymphocyte subsets. Correlation between them and 28 joint disease activity scores (DAS28) was assessed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results The absolute number of Tem and Tfh cells in the RA group was higher than that in the healthy group. The expression of ICOS and PD-1 in the RA group was higher than that in the healthy group. There was a positive correlation between the expression of ICOS and PD-1 on peripheral CD3⁺CD8⁺ Tem and Tfh cells and DAS28 in RA group. Conclusion PD-1 and ICOS on peripheral CD3⁺CD8⁺ Tem and Tfh cells may be involved in the development of RA and may be an indicator of RA activity.

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