Does C-reactive protein modulate T-lymphocyte function in methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients?

Thirty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with oral methotrexate for 6 months. Methotrexate was given as a single weekly dose of 7.5-10 mg. A correlation between serum concentration of CRP and proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood was found in this group of patients. This correlation can be described by a linear regression equation. According to the results obtained, CRP suppresses lymphocyte function in patients with RA. This is the consequence of the stimulating effect on suppressor mechanisms.