An interventional study of Exploratory synovial fluid analysis in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Swelling Joint and Joint Fluid, sponsored by University Hospital, Montpellier. Terminated at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-30.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Montpellier · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the clinical response to anti-TNFα is related to an increase in the number or in the function of Treg lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients. This observation suggests the central role of Tregs in homeostasis of the immune response during RA.
In the literature the Tregs frequency and phenotype in the peripheral blood are well documented, however the analyses done on the Tregs in inflamed environment are still fragmentary or disparate.
In this project Tregs phenotype as well as expression of several transcripts will be analysed in order to better characterize the Treg cell subsets within the synovial fluid. Moreover, the local inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6 and IL-1) may affect both the phenotype and the suppressive function of these Tregs and a comparison between peripheral and tissue Tregs will allow us to better understand the cause of functional loss.
Outcomes:
Primary outcome: Identification and characterization of the Tregs subpopulation present in the synovial fluid for RA patients suffering an episode of acute arthritis.
Secondary outcomes: compare the phenotypic and expression profile of the Tregs present in the synovial fluid with the Tregs present in the peripheral blood of RA patients suffering from an episode of acute arthritis.
Transverse observational, monocentric exploratory study based on physiopathological evaluation Phase of identification/characterization of biomarkers. In a second phase, investigators might also considered a multicentre study with a greater number of patients as well as with osteoarthritis patients in order to validate the specificity of the results obtained in RA.
Investigators will prospectively recruit 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffering from an episode of acute arthritis and requiring joint puncture. Investigators will analyse the cellular component of the joint fluid. It is an interventional clinical trial since one extra blood sample of 30 ml of blood will be collected.
Exclusion Criteria:
Other: Exploratory synovial fluid analysis
An additional blood sample (3 10 ml tubes) and an additional specific analysis to characterize subpopulations of regulating T lymphocytes infiltrating the synovium of RA patients and comparing them with those of peripheral blood.
Define the heterogeneity of Treg cell subsets
Description of Treg cell subsets isolated from the synovial fluid of RA patients suffering from an episode of acute arthritis.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Compare the phenotypic and expression profile of the Tregs
Comparison between the phenotypic and expression profile of the Tregs present in the synovial fluid with the Tregs present in the peripheral blood of RA patients suffering from an episode of acute arthritis.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Plan to share: No
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University Hospital, Montpellier