Disturbances of T-cell interactions with endothelium and the extracellular matrix proteins in a patient with Takayasu arteritis.

Abstract

T-cell interactions with endothelium and the extracellular matrix proteins were studied in vitro in a patient with Takayasu arteritis. Markedly enhanced spontaneous adhesiveness to cultured endothelium and collagen IV and fibronectin were found to be paralleled by abolished responses to the costimulating action of collagens I and IV and fibronectin. Those abnormalities were partly corrected by immunosuppressive therapy. Aberrant interactions of T cells with endothelium and the extracellular matrix proteins may underlay the pathogenesis of some forms of vasculitis.