Selective depletion and activation of CD8+ lymphocytes from peripheral blood of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. |
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| Authors: | B Dasgupta O Duke A M Timms C Pitzalis G S Panayi |
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| Affiliation: | Rheumatology Unit, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London. |
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| Abstract: | A prospective study of 33 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) was undertaken, firstly, to monitor sequentially peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocyte levels and, secondly, to assess the expression of activation markers on T lymphocyte subsets. The results indicated that there was a significant decrease in absolute numbers and relative percentages of CD8+ T lymphocytes, which returned to normal ranges after approximately 24 months' treatment, and that there was an increased percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes in PMR/GCA which express HLA class II antigens. |
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