Certain researchers have found the significant action of platelets bound with lymphocytes in reducing proliferation of IFN-γ and IL-17 when bound with T-lymphocytes (a type of leukocytes). The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 are considerably higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the lymphocytes bound with platelets could become the promising treatment for RA. 

Now to figure out the efficiency of the combination, Carlos Zamora and colleagues conducted a research in which co-culture of platelets with lymphocytes was done at different ratios. These platelets were taken from different healthy persons. This showed no effect upon the analysis.  Under the presence of stimulation, the combination decreased the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and T-cell proliferation. This also decreased the expression of proteins like CD25, PD-L1, and SLAM.  However, this co-culture enhanced the expression CD39.

Further, when platelets were co-cultured with lymphocytes within the same compartment, researchers observed lower levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α production and T lymphocyte proliferation than in cultures with platelets separated from lymphocytes. When the co-culture was blocked with anti-P-selectin Abs, the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α was remarkably higher than in non-blocked conditions. Also, this co-culture in combination with synovial fluid cells from RA patients decreased the inflammatory cytokine production and increased IL-10 production. The IL-10 is a kind of anti-inflammatory cytokine, and that helps to reduce joint inflammation.

The overall study concluded that platelets bound with lymphocytes could control cytokines production. Hence, the combination could be very useful to reduce the inflammatory responses among RA patients.