Enumeration of T-lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte subsets in rheumatoid arthritis using monoclonal antibodies

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Abstract
The number of T-lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte subsets was measured in peripheral blood of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthiritis. T-lymphocytes were counted by E-rosette tests and by the immunogold staining method with OKT3.PAN monoclonal antibody. Helper and suppressor T-lymphocytes were determined by the immunogold staining method with OKT4.IND and OKT8.SUP monoclonal antibody. The relative and absolute numbers of T-lymphocytes and helper T-lympohocytes in peripheral blood of patients with RA did not differ significantly from those in the blood of healthy subjects. However, the relative and absolute numbers of suppressor T-cells were significantly lower in patients with RA than in healthy subjects. The decrease of suppressor T-cells in the blood of patients with RA dit not correlate with the activity of the disease nor the presence of the rheumatoid factor.