To evaluate effects of recurrent herpetic infection on functional activity of regulatory cell subpopulations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
We studied in vitro production of marker cytokines of type 1 T-helpers (IL-2), type 2 T-helpers (IL-4), type 3 T-helpers TGFbeta and type 1 T-regulators (IL-10) and counted CD4+CD25+ T-cells in the blood of patients with recurrent herpetic infection and having no clinical manifestations of Herpes virus reactivation.
Patients with recurrent herpes had more active production of IL-10, but reduced count of CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes.
IL-10 hyperproduction observed in recurrent herpetic infection may contribute to progression of rheumatoid arthritis.