Select patient characteristics and histologic quantitationa
| Healthy | RA: MTX | RA: Anti-TNF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAQ (0–3) | 0.24 (0.22) | 0.3 (0.47) | |
| DAS (0–9.3) | 3.69 (1.0) | 3.3 (1.3) | |
| RF+ (%) | 77% | 79% | |
| GC (Bm3/4) | 33 ± 12 | 27 ± 18 | 13 ± 9b |
| FDC (%) | 12.2 ± 4.8 | 11.9 ± 5.1 | 7.5 ± 1.6c |
| FDC/IgD | 0.63 ± 0.29 | 0.71 ± 0.10 | 0.42 ± 0.14d |
| GC (%) | 8.4 ± 3.6 | 9 ± 5.2 | 2.3 ± 1.6e |
| 1°:2° | 2.8:13.2 | 1:14 | 4.7:7.3 |
a The first three rows from the top summarize select patient characteristics (HAQ, health assessment questionnaire; DAS, disease activity score) with mean ± SD or positive percentage (RF, rheumatoid factor) in RA on MTX (n = 17) and RA on anti-TNF (n = 28) recruited for PB analysis. The next four rows characterize tonsil tissue from healthy subjects (n = 25 for flow cytometry analysis of GC cells), RA on MTX (n = 2), and RA on anti-TNF (n = 4). FDC network area is quantitated as a percentage of the total tissue area (FDC (%)) or relative to the IgD+ areas (FDC/IgD) and is based on morphometric analysis of immunohistochemistry stains. The fraction of the total tissue area occupied by GC FDC networks (GC (%)) and the mean primary number (1°) to secondary follicle number (2°) are shown. The statistical significance of the differences is indicated as follows:
b p = 0.003 compared to healthy controls;
c p = 0.036 compared to healthy controls;
d p < 0.0001 compared to RA MTX; and
e p < 0.0001 compared to RA MTX and healthy controls.