IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells are increased in early, active axial spondyloarthritis including patients without imaging abnormalities

摘要

Objective. Increased numbers of IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells have been observed in AS. However, it is not known whether these CD4(+) T cells are already present in early disease or if this is a late disease phenomenon only. Therefore we aimed to investigate whether IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells are involved in early active axial SpA, including patients without imaging abnormalities, by determining the frequency and phenotype of IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells in these patients.