Immunopathology of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules.

Nodules obtained from five patients with classical seropositive rheumatoid arthritis were studied by an immunofluorescence technique using polyclonal antibodies to IgG, IgA, IgM, C3c, and fibrin, and monoclonal antibodies to the terminal (C5b-9) complement complex (reaction with a neoantigen in C9 revealed during activation), DR antigens, T cells, macrophages, and interdigitating cells. In all instances the central necrotic areas stained strongly for fibrin and more weakly for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and terminal complement complex. The surrounding palisading cells reacted with antibodies to DR and macrophages.

Inflammatory synovial T cells in different activity subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Mononuclear cells were eluted from synovial membranes of 39 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 12 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A considerable cell loss, about 50% or more, was seen during the various isolation steps. The CD4/CD8 ratio just after enzyme treatment (stage I) was significantly higher than at later stages, i.

Interleukin 1 activity produced by human rheumatoid and normal dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) from the synovial inflammatory tissue and peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from the peripheral blood of normal blood donors were compared with the autologous monocytes for their capacity to produce and release interleukin 1 (IL-1). Synovial DC often spontaneously released higher amounts of IL-1 activity than unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood DC and monocytes. The IL-1 production by both DC and monocytes increased after stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Rheumatoid arthritis at the base of the thumb treated by trapezium resection or implant arthroplasty.

A clinical review is presented of patients with disabling rheumatoid arthritis at the base of the thumb treated by resection of the trapezium or by implant arthroplasty. Both methods resulted in good relief of pain, and the patients experienced better hand function. There were no great differences in results between the two methods.

Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. An analysis of operative procedures.

This paper presents a clinical review of patients operated by different procedures for disabling osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. Fusion of the joint resulted in pain relief, and the patients achieved a stable thumb with excellent strength. Although a minor loss of thumb motion was noted, this was not considered a problem.