This study examines polyfunctional T-cells in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) synovial tissue and their associations with clinical disease and implications for therapy.
PsA synovial tissue was enzymatically/mechanically digested to generate synovial tissue single cell suspensions. Frequencies of polyfunctional CD4, CD8, T-helper 1 (Th1), Th17 and exTh17 cells, using CD161 as a marker of Th17 plasticity, were determined by flow cytometry in matched PsA synovial tissue and peripheral blood. Synovial T-cell polyfunctionality was assessed in relation to Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) and in synovial cell suspensions cultured with a current mode of treatment, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor.
PsA synovial tissue infiltrating CD4
These data demonstrate enrichment of polyfunctional T-cells in PsA synovial tissue which were strongly associated with DAPSA and ex vivo therapeutic response.