LYMPHOCYTE SURFACE MARKERS IN ACUTE RHEUMATIC-FEVER AND POST-STREPTOCOCCAL ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (1) , 135-142
Abstract
Lymphocyte cell-surface markers were examined in 40 children with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and 12 with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN) and compared to 36 normal controls of similar age. Cell-surface-marker studies included surface Ig [immunoglobulin] using fluorescein-labeled F(ab'')2 anti-F(ab'')2, IgG aggregate binding cells and EAC [erythrocyte, antibody, complement complex] rosettes. T [thymus-derived] cells were identified as active rosettes and total E-binding cells. Proportions and absolute numbers of cells bearing surface Ig and Fc receptors were elevated in subjects with AGN (P < 0.01-0.5); proportions of cells producing EAC rosettes were diminished. Patients with acute rheumatic carditis or chorea showed a substantial elevation in proportions and numbers of active T-cell rosettes (P < 0.01). Streptococcal antigen binding cells capable of forming rosettes with autologous cells coated with group A streptococcal membranes were elevated in the acute phase of rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis (P < 0.01). The majority of such cells were removed by passage over insolubilized Ig-anti-IgG columns and appeared to be B [bone marrow-derived] cells.