Evolution of the T cell receptor beta repertoire from synovial fluid T cells of patients with juvenile onset rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To determine the level of T cell clonal expansion and the proportion of T cells that persist over time in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with juvenile onset rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods. We collected SF samples from each of 3 patients with JRA at 2 to 3 year intervals. To measure expression across the entire spectrum of Va families in each of 7 fluids examined. we synthesized and amplified dscDNA from all 24 VB families with a single reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The proportion of clonally expanded T cells and persistent T cells is low and variable among patients. Conclusion. The data are supportive of disease models nor centered on T cells but centered on the changing nature of the disease over time.