Fibrocytes in early and long-standing rheumatoid arthritis: a 6-month trial with repeated synovial biopsy, imaging and lung function test

Objectives To correlate the level of fibrocytes in peripheral blood, synovial tissue and vitro culture rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with changes disease activity, imaging pulmonary function. Methods Twenty patients early RA (ERA) 20 long-standing (LRA) were enrolled a 6-month prospective study. Sixteen undergoing wrist arthroscopy healthy controls. Patients underwent function tests, ultrasound ultrasound-guided needle biopsy same at baseline 6 months. Wrist MRI was performed (all) months (ERA). Circulating measured by flow cytometry, number monocytes that differentiated to biopsies counting histological sections. Results Fibrocytes primarily located around vessels subintimal area synovium. Fibrocyte levels did not decline during trial despite effective treatment. In ERA group, increased synovitis assessed moderate strongly correlated an increase circulating fibrocyte levels, respectively. Increased group moderately both numbers cultured fibrocytes. Absolute diffusion capacity overall weakly negatively The Conclusion Our findings suggest are involved pathogenesis, synovium reduction lung seen part RA. Trial registration NCT02652299 .