Disordered T cell-B cell interactions in autoantibody-positive inflammatory arthritis

T peripheral helper (Tph) cells, identified in the synovium of adults with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, drive B cell maturation and antibody production in non-lymphoid tissues. We sought to determine if similarly dysregulated T cell-B cell interactions underlie another form of inflammatory arthritis, juvenile oligoarthritis (oligo JIA). Clonally expanded Tph cells able to promote B cell antibody production preferentially accumulated in the synovial fluid (SF) of oligo JIA patients with antinuclear antibodies (ANA) compared to autoantibody-negative patients. Single-cell transcriptomics enabled further definition of the Tph gene signature in inflamed tissues and showed that Tph cells from ANA-positive patients upregulated genes associated with B cell help to a greater extent than patients without autoantibodies. T cells that co-expressed regulatory T and B cell-help factors were identified. The phenotype of these Tph-like Treg cells suggests an ability to restrain T cell-B cell interactions in tissues. Our findings support the central role of disordered T cell-help to B cells in autoantibody-positive arthritides

EVIDENCE FOR PEER SUPPORT IN REHABILITATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: To systematically review the literature on evidence for the application of peer support in the rehabilitation of persons with acquired brain injury. Data sources: PubMed, Embase.com, Ebsco/Cinahl, Ebsco/PsycInfo and Wiley/Cochrane Library were searched from inception up to 19 June 2015. Study selection: Randomized controlled trials were included describing participants with acquired brain injury in a rehabilitation setting and peer supporters who were specifically assigned to this role. Data extraction: Two independent reviewers assessed metho-dological quality using the PEDro scale. Cohen’s kappa was calculated to assess agreement between the reviewers. Data synthesis: Two randomized controlled trials could be included, both focussing on patients with traumatic brain injury. The randomized controlled trials included a total of 126 participants with traumatic brain injury and 62 care-givers and suggest a positive influence of peer support for traumatic brain injury survivors and their caregivers in areas of social support, coping, behavioural control and physical quality of life. Conclusion: The evidence for peer support is limited and restricted to traumatic brain injury. Randomized controlled trials on peer support for patients with other causes of acquired brain injury are lacking. It is important to gain more insight into the effects of peer support and the influence of patient and peer characteristics and the intervention protocol

Characteristics of Study Participants.

<p>Characteristics of Study Participants.</p