Gamma/Delta T-cell Receptor Type Granular Lymphocyte Proliferative Disorder Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

We present here a case report of a 69-year-old female patient with T granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder (T-GLPD) expressing the γ/δ T-cell receptor. The patient had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years, and presented with mild anaemia. Cell-surface marker analysis was carried out using flow cytometry and natural killer function was determined using a chromium release assay. The case report is followed by a summary of the 21 other γ/δ T-GLPD cases reported in the literature and a comparison of their clinical characteristics with those of T-GLPD cases expressing the α/β T-cell receptor. The clinical symptoms and the frequency of association with rheumatoid arthritis are similar in γ/δ and α/β T-GLPD, but a prevalence of the CD8- cell-surface marker and enhanced natural killer function appear to be characteristics of γ/δ T-GLPD.