Inflammatory cell infiltrate and RANKL/OPG expression in rheumatoid synovium: comparison with other inflammatory arthropathies and correlation with outcome.

Abstract

The quantification of the RANKL/OPG ratio and of the number of lymphocytes in the ST might be useful to differentiate RA from other inflammatory joint diseases. The ST number of CD4+ lymphocytes and macrophages are probable predictors of radiologic progression in RA patients.