Cytokines and the immunopathology of the spondyloarthropathies.

In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the triggering antigens are known in reactive arthritis (ReA) and Lyme arthritis. Thus, in these arthritides the antigen-specific T-cell response can be investigated in much detail and lessons possibly learned for other spondyloarthropathies (SpA) such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) where T cells may well also play an important role in the pathogenesis. This article focusses on the immunopathology of the SpA, ReA, and AS with special reference to T cells and cytokines.