Modulation of lymphocyte subsets due to psychological stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The influence of a 1-hour neuropsychological stress test on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations and on plasma catecholamine levels was investigated in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 14 sex- and age-matched controls. Despite significant increases in lymphocyte counts in both groups, lymphocyte subsets did not change accordingly. A wide scattering of catecholamine levels in plasma before and after stress was observed. Plasma levels of lymphokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 could not be detected in RA patients. Enzyme immunoassay of markers of lymphocyte activation such as HLA-DR and cell-bound IL-2 receptor showed only a significant elevation of HLA-DR marked cells in RA patients at baseline. Significantly higher amounts of the soluble IL-2 receptor were detected in patients with RA before the stress test, but stress testing did not alter this parameter. In conclusion, lymphocyte activation in RA and a defect in the expression of IL-2 receptor on the cell surface of lymphocytes were confirmed in the present study.