Superoxide production from cytokine-treated adherent rheumatoid neutrophils.

We have compared superoxide (O2-) production from cytokine-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs. control neutrophils (PMN). Exposure of adherent peripheral blood PMN to cytokines known to be present in RA joints (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF) resulted in enhanced O2- production from both RA and controls. With few exceptions, we did not find significant differences in enhanced O2- production, between RA and controls. By enhancing O2- production from PMN adherent to articular cartilage, cytokines may influence the potential for joint damage in RA.