Use of HLA-B27 tetramers to identify low-frequency antigen-specific T cells in Chlamydia-triggered reactive arthritis

Table 3 HLA-B27/Chlamydia peptide tetramer staining of CD8⁺ T cells from synovial fluid of six HLA-B27⁺ patients (nos 1–6) and three HLA-B27^- patients (nos 7–9) with Chlamydia-triggered reactive arthritis

Patient no.	B27	No. 68	No. 133	No. 195
1	+	-	-	-
2	+	-	-	+
3	+	+	-	+
4	+	-	-	-
5	+	-	+	+
6	+	-	+	-
7	-	-	-	-
8	-	-	-	-
9	-	-	-	-
10	+	-	-	-
11	+	-	-	-
12	+	-	-	-
13	n.d.	-	-	-
14	n.d.	-	-	-
15	n.d.	-	-	-

CD8⁺ T cells from the synovial fluid of three HLA-B27⁺ patients with enterobacteria-triggered reactive arthritis (patient nos 10–12), three patients with rheumatoid arthritis (patient nos 13–15) were analysed; the peripheral blood of six healthy HLA-B27⁺ blood donors was also analysed (not shown). Positive results are indicated with +, no staining with -. All other peptides tested negative. n.d., not done.

ISSN: 1478-6362