{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "6786efe4708441bc9d48233a916c885b", "timestamp": "2026-09-25T23:04:06.648Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/6786efe4708441bc9d48233a916c885b.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/6786efe4708441bc9d48233a916c885b"}}, "title": "Arthritis progressors have a decreased frequency of circulating autoreactive T cells during the at-risk phase of rheumatoid arthritis.", "authors": [{"family": "Turcinov", "given": "Sara", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0002-7476-1019", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/a8d6e73d5cb24b17a6a8c38fa1bb1a2b.json"}}, {"family": "Sharma", "given": "Ravi Kumar", "initials": "RK", "orcid": "0000-0002-2658-0002", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6eb05ea5583c462493eaacdd8d4efb64.json"}}, {"family": "De Vries", "given": "Charlotte", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "C\u00eerciumaru", "given": "Alexandra", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0009-0005-0009-7345", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/324f719ee1a248dba0e7de890ca9fd97.json"}}, {"family": "Gerstner", "given": "Christina", "initials": "C", "orcid": "0009-0003-4342-4241", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/06c790871d0042d981460bbc0e03a844.json"}}, {"family": "Mathsson-Alm", "given": "Linda", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Raposo", "given": "Bruno", "initials": "B", "orcid": "0000-0003-3918-4882", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/3eadc16542fb4a4e99f601a53c158bf9.json"}}, {"family": "Dubnovitsky", "given": "Anatoly", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-5350-4531", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/c926583bfad245bcb084a2a5409f25c0.json"}}, {"family": "R\u00f6nnblom", "given": "Lars", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Kwok", "given": "William W", "initials": "WW"}, {"family": "Chemin", "given": "Karine", "initials": "K", "orcid": "0000-0002-2597-7809", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/879fb9ca5bb943f7989218d315d31b24.json"}}, {"family": "Malmstr\u00f6m", "given": "Vivianne", "initials": "V", "orcid": "0000-0001-9251-8082", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/206e1bc761464dd3bc906afdee8c49c2.json"}}, {"family": "Hensvold", "given": "Aase", "initials": "A"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2024-11-18", "journal": {"title": "RMD Open", "issn": "2056-5933", "volume": "10", "issue": "4", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "The aim of this study was to combine deep T cell phenotyping with assessment of citrulline-reactive CD4+T cells in the pre-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phase.\n\n20 anti-CCP2 positive individuals (HLA-DRB1*04:01) presenting musculoskeletal complaints without clinical or ultrasound signs of synovitis; 10 arthritis progressors and 10 matched non-arthritis progressors were included. Longitudinal samples (1-3 time points) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed using HLA-class II tetramers with 12 different citrullinated candidate autoantigens combined in a >20-colour spectral flow cytometry panel.\n\nThe baseline CD4+T cell phenotype was similar between individuals who progressed to arthritis (ie, in the pre-RA phase) and the non-progressors, when studying markers associated with Th1, Th17, T-peripheral and T-regulatory cells as well as with T-cell activation. Citrulline-reactive CD4+T cells were present in both groups but at significantly lower frequency in the progressor group. CD4+T cells specific for citrullinated tenascin-C were the most frequently observed among the progressors, and their frequencies diminished during follow-up that is, closer to arthritis onset. Notably, PD-1 and CD95 expression on the memory cit-tenascin-C-specific T cells in this group indicated repeated antigen exposure.\n\nOur data lend support to citrullinated tenascin-C as an interesting T cell antigen in RA. Moreover, lower frequency of circulating citrulline-specific cells in arthritis progressing individuals suggest an initiated homing of these cells to the joints and/or their associated lymph nodes in the pre-RA phase and a possible window of opportunity for therapeutic preventive interventions.", "doi": "10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004510", "pmid": "39557489", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC11574433"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "rmdopen-2024-004510"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T11:24:54.599Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T11:24:54.805Z"}