Generation of long-term T-cell lines from synovial fluid.

Investigations of human autoimmune diseases have largely involved study of circulating T cells. The development of T-cell cloning technology has made possible the study of the small numbers of T cells found at sites of pathological involvement in autoimmune diseases. In this initial communication, the feasibility of in vitro propagation of synovial fluid T cells from patients with arthritis is demonstrated. The generation of long-term, phenotypic helper/inducer, as well as phenotypic suppressor/cytotoxic, interleukin 2-dependent synovial fluid T-cell lines from patients with arthritis is reported. The ability to generate such synovial fluid T-cell lines should now allow for new investigative approaches to human autoimmune arthritic diseases.