Abstract
Graves' disease is generally considered an autoimmune disorder, in which a defect of suppressor T lymphocytes has been postulated. The subset of circulating T lymphocytes bearing surface receptors for Fc fragment of IgG (T(G)) has been shown to exert suppressor activity in various in vitro systems. Furthermore, imbalances of T(G) subset have been observed in several diseases affecting the immune system. We have analyzed Fcγ-positive T cells in 10 female patients affected by Graves' disease. E-rosette forming cells have been purified on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients, then T(G) cells have been counted after rosette formation with Ox erythrocytes coated with subagglutinating amounts of rabbit anti-Ox IgG antibodies. A marked decrease of Fcγ-positive T cells (3.0 ± 0.3% (SEM), normal values 11.0 ± 0.3) was observed in peripheral blood of all patients, without any correlation with their clinical state. This result is consistent with the hypothesis of an inherited defect of suppressor T cells in Graves' disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 172-173 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | IRCS Medical Science |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1981 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Medicine(all)