Subpopulations of human T lymphocytes. IX. Imbalance of T cell subpopulations in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

  • 1 November 1979
    • journal article
    • Vol. 38  (2) , 342-7
Abstract
Peripheral blood lymphocytes from twenty patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were analysed for the numbers and proportions of B lymphocytes possessing surface immunoglobulin, cells with Fc receptors, T cella and T cells with receptors for IgM (T mu) or IgG (T gamma). In patients with PSS, B cells and lymphocytes with Fc receptors were comparable in both numbers and proportions to those of the control group. Circulating T lymphocytes were significantly fewer in the patient group. T mu cells were decreased and T gamma cells increased, resulting in lower T mu/T gamma ratios as compared to controls. This study demonstrates a profound imbalance between T mu and T gamma cells (containing a population of helper or suppressor cells, respectively). These results are discussed in relation to immunodeficiencies observed in patients with PSS.

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