Demonstration of granzyme A and perforin messenger RNA in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Our results demonstrate that gene expression of at least 2 CTL products, granzyme A and perforin, is up-regulated in the synovium of patients with RA compared with that in the synovium of patients with OA. These molecules presumably play an important role not only in lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, but also in facilitating the migration of blood-borne mononuclear cells through the vascular basement membrane into the rheumatoid synovium.