Divergent T cell receptor γ repertoires in rheumatoid arthritis monozygotic twins

Abstract

Objective. To determine if the expressed T cell receptor (TCR) γ repertoire is altered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from monozygotic twins who were either concordant or discordant for RA, or from a normal twin pair. TCR γ‐specific complementary DNA libraries were constructed using the anchored polymerase chain reaction. Gene usage was analyzed by plaque hybridization and sequencing. Results. The expressed TCR VΓ repertoires both in RA patients and normal subjects were extremely diverse. Monozygotic twins who were concordant for RA expressed very different frequencies of TCR VΓ genes. Conclusion. RA does not lead to a specific clonal expansion or deletion of TCR VΓ genes in peripheral blood.