Additional file 2: Figure S2. of Increase in circulating Th17 cells during anti-TNF therapy is associated with ultrasonographic improvement of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis

Higher frequency of Th17 cells at baseline associated with poorer response to anti-TNF treatment. Positive correlations are shown between percentages of circulating CD4 + IL17+ cells (determined by intracellular cytokine staining using flow cytometry) at baseline and the change in quantitative score for synovial vascularity (10 MCP Trans PDA score) from baseline to week 1 on treatment (A) in patients with RA with presence of power Doppler signal at baseline (n = 19). Also positive correlations are shown between the percentages of circulating CD4 + IL17+ cells at baseline and the change in quantitative score for synovial thickening (10 MCP Trans STA score) from baseline to week 1 (B), from baseline to week 4 (C) and from baseline to week 12 (D) on treatment in the whole RA cohort. Correlations was tested using Spearman’s rank method. 10 MCP Trans PDA composite transverse power Doppler area score for synovial vascularity of ten metacarpophalangeal joints, 10 MCP Trans STA composite transverse synovial thickness area score of ten metacarpophalangeal joints. (DOCX 51 kb)