Peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets changes in patients with endocrine and metabolic diseases

In this study the authors utilized the OKT monoclonal anti-human T lymphocyte antibodies to determine the normal level of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 30 healthy volunteers, 36 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 4 with hypothyroidism and 30 with diabetes mellitus (DM). It is shown that OKT+3, OKT+4 OKT+8 and OKT+4/OKT+8 ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 30 healthy volunteers were 72.4 +/- 5.1%, 38.9 +/- 5.2%, 26.8 +/- 4.3% and 1.5 +/- 0.3. In 36 patients with GD OKT+3 was 67.6 +/- 5.8%, OKT+4 was 33.8 +/- 6.6% and OKT+8 was 17.9 +/- 6.1%. These were all significantly lower than those of normal controls (P less than 0.001). OKT+4/OKT+8 ratio was 2.1 +/- 0.6, which was significantly higher (P less than 0.001). The value of OKT+4 and OKT+8 in 10 patients with GD after treatment were markedly elevated. However, the ratio of OKT+4/OKT+8 was significantly decreased (P less than 0.05). OKT+3 of 4 cases of hypothyroidism was 69.7 +/- 3.35%, being similar to that of normal controls (P greater than 0.2). OKT+4 and OKT+8 were 31.73 +/- 4.99% and 18 +/- 2.94% respectively, both of which being markedly decreased (P less than 0.01). The ratio of OKT+4/OKT+8 was 1.97 +/- 0.22, being not significantly elevated (P greater than 0.05). OKT+3, OKT+4 and OKT+8 of 23 cases with DM were 68.8 +/- 7.2% (P less than 0.05), 33 +/- 8.1% (P less than 0.005), and 21.2 +/- 6.5% (P less than 0.001) respectively. All of these were significantly decreased. The ratio of OKT+4/OKT+8 was 1.6 +/- 0.5, being not significantly changed.     

Abnormalities of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in polymyalgia rheumatica

The T lymphocyte subsets were studied by monoclonal antibodies in the blood of eight patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. The percentages of circulating T cells (OKT3+) were lower when compared with normal controls (p less than 0.02), as were the proportions of suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+) T cells (p less than 0.001), whereas the proportions of helper/inducer (OKT4+) T lymphocytes were not changed. Consequently, the OKT4:OKT8 ratio was higher in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica than in controls (p less than 0.001). On the contrary, circulating B cells were not altered. The decrease in peripheral blood OKT3+ and OKT8+ lymphocyte subsets suggests that there is an impairment of cell-mediated immunity in polymyalgia rheumatica.     

T lymphocyte subsets in inflammatory bowel disease: peripheral blood

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and T lymphocyte subsets have been quantified in 28 patients with ulcerative colitis and 26 with Crohn's disease by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies: OKT3, which detects all peripheral blood T lymphocytes; OKT4 (T cells of helper phenotype); and OKT8 (T cells of supressor-cytotoxic phenotype). Eighteen normal subjects and 16 patients with a variety of non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders were studied as controls. No significant differences were found between patient and control groups in the proportions of circulating T lymphocytes or their subsets. When compared with normal subjects, absolute numbers of T lymphocytes were reduced in patients with active ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (p less than 0.05). OKT4+ T cell numbers were reduced in ulcerative colitis, whether active (p less than 0.02) or inactive (p less than 0.05) and in active Crohn's disease (p less than 0.05) Numbers of OKT8+ T cells were reduced in active Crohn's disease (p less than 0.01). There were no differences in T lymphocyte numbers between the patient groups and the disease control subjects. The OKT4+:OKT8+ ratio in patients with inflammatory bowel disease did not differ from that in controls. No relation was found between any of the parameters studied and disease activity, site, or extent of disease, or treatment with sulphasalazine or corticosteroids. The presence of Ia-like, HLA-DR antigens on T cells was detected using a double marker immunofluorescence technique. In control subjects up to 7% of OKT3+ cells were HLA-DR+. In only three patients was the proportion of HLA-DR+ cells greater than in controls. These results indicate that the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease does not depend upon an alteration in the proportion of circulating T lymphocytes nor upon an imbalance of T lymphocyte subsets as defined by monoclonal antibodies. The reduction in T lymphocyte numbers may result from mucosal infiltration. The findings also suggest that circulating T lymphocytes are not activated.     

Study on lymphocyte subsets and NK cell function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

An acquired defect or damage of a subpopulation of suppressor T lymphocytes is reported in connection with autoimmune diseases. In the present study, the role of immunity was examined in 7 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The frequency of lymphocyte subsets using monoclonal antibodies and natural killer (NK) cell activity was evaluated to determine whether DCM patients had lymphocyte abnormalities that would support the hypothesis that the pathological mechanism of DCM is an immune disturbance. The peripheral lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in patients with DCM and higher in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) than in normal controls (NC) (p less than 0.01). The percentage of T cells, B cells, OKT4 and OKT8 positive cells was not statistically different among the three groups studied here, whereas the percentage of T gamma cells was significantly reduced in DCM patients (p less than 0.05). NK cell functional activity as tested in DCM and IHD patients was frequently deficient (22.1 +/- 19.3% in DCM, 13.8 +/- 3.0% in IHD, 37.4 +/- 12.7% in NC). Our results suggest that an imbalance in cellular immune reactions partly explain the pathogenesis of DCM.     

Peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulations in primary and alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy

In order to test the hypothesis of the role of a suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocyte deficit in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM), 20 patients (11 alcoholic-A; 9 primary-P) were compared with 24 normal controls (N) and 10 patients with chronic cardiac failure (CCF). The percentage of OKT 3, a global assessment of the T lymphocytes, did not differ significantly between the groups. The percentage of OKT 4 (helper T lymphocytes) was significantly lower in DCM (43 +/- 8.1 p. 100) compared to N (51.92 +/- 8.1 p. 100), p less than 0.001. The percentage of OKT 4 was also lower in CCF (45.3 +/- 3.91 p. 100) compared to N (p less than 0.05). There was a very significant decrease in the percentage of OKT 8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes) in DCM (17.23 +/- 4.78 p. 100) compared to N (26.42 +/- 5.72 p. 100) (p less than 10(-8)). A reduction of OKT 8 was also observed in CCF compared to N (p less than 0.05). The ratio of OKT 4/OKT 8 was significantly higher in DCM (2.7 +/- 0.97) compared to N (2.08 +/- 0.6) (p less than 0.05). This difference was not observed in CCF (2.19 +/- 0.48). There were no differences between DCM A and P. These results indicate that chronic cardiac failure is associated with an equal reduction in the percentage of OKT 4 and OKT 8 lymphocytes. Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with a large reduction in the OKT 4 and especially in the of OKT 8 with a statistically significant increase in the OKT 4/OKT 8 ratio. Although chronic cardiac failure seems to affect lymphocytes, these results are compatible with a deficit of suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes in dilated cardiomyopathies.     

T lymphocyte subsets in patients with newly diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes: A prospective study

T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood from 11 newly diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients were studied prospectively at three time intervals: as soon as possible after diagnosis, 3 weeks and 5 months later. Lymphocytes were marked with monoclonal OKT antibodies and examined in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The percentage of T lymphocytes (OKT3) did not change significantly at the three study times. The percentage of helper/inducer T cells (OKT4) was high the first week after diagnosis, but decreased at the 5-month examination (p less than 0.05). The percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT8) was low at diagnosis but increased at 3 weeks (p less than 0.02) and 5 months (p less than 0.01). The ratio OKT4/OKT8 lymphocytes was 2.28 at diagnosis, decreasing to 1.77 at 3 weeks and 1.87 at 5 months, compared with 1.46 for 16 age-matched control subjects. There was no significant change in the absolute number of lymphocytes. It is concluded that the distribution of T cell subsets was abnormal at the time of diagnosis, but changed towards normal within a few weeks, after which there was no significant change at 5 months. It is as yet unknown whether the high proportion of helper/inducer T cells and/or the low percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells at diagnosis favour immune reactions involved in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes.     

慢性血吸虫病患者周围血淋巴细胞亚群测定的临床意义

本文对３０例慢性血吸虫病患者，１４０例正常人和８２例各型病毒性肝炎患者作周围血Ｔ淋巴细胞亚群、细胞膜表面免疫球蛋白（ＳｍＩｇ）和Ｅ玫瑰花结形成细胞（ＥＲＦＣ）等检测。其结果表明：（１）慢性血吸虫病患者周围血Ｔ淋巴细胞的总Ｔ细胞（ＯＫＴ３）和辅助Ｔ细胞（ＯＫＴ４）及ＥＲＦＣ均明显低于正常人，而抑制杀伤Ｔ细胞（ＯＫＴ８）和ＳｍＩｇ却明显高于正常人，这可能与血吸虫发育过程中虫源性因子的释放有关。（２）急性和慢性病毒性肝炎患者与正常人比较，除ＥＲＦＣ明显较低外，其周围血ＯＫＴ３，ＯＫＴ４，ＯＫＴ８和ＳｍＩｇ均明显较高。血吸虫病患者和病毒性肝炎患者之间的ＯＫＴ８和ＳｍＩｇ无显著性差异而ＯＫＴ３和ＯＫＴ４则有不同，可能与其免疫病理有关。     

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in polycythaemia and thrombocythaemia

Lymphocyte subpopulations from peripheral blood of normal subjects and patients with primary proliferative polycythaemia (PPP), idiopathic erythrocytosis (IE) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET) were separated using antihuman immunoglobulin antiserum for B lymphocytes and the following monoclonal antibodies: OKT3, directed against the general T-lymphocyte subpopulation, OKT4 and OKT8, detecting respectively T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocyte subpopulations, OKM1 reacting mainly with monocytes. A decrease in the number of OKT3+ cells was observed both in PPP and IE, with a particular fall of the OKT8+ (suppressor) cells, so that the T4/T8 ratio was significantly increased (P less than 0.03 in PPP and P less than 0.0005 in IE). The ratio remained normal in samples from ET. OKM1+ cells were significantly increased in PPP (P less than 0.04), but not in IE, while in ET there was a rise in a few cases only. The present data point out some definite changes in the circulating lymphomonocytic cell subsets, which may be of interest in the study of this group of myeloproliferative disorders.     

T cells in monoclonal gammopathies

Subpopulations of human T lymphocytes were analysed by monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8) in healthy controls and in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia (WM) and benign monoclonal gammopathy (BMG). Lymphocytes forming rosettes with SRBC correlated well with T cells staining in indirect immunofluorescence by OKT3 monoclonal antibodies. The relative and absolute numbers of OKT4+ T cells were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Though, the percentage of OKT8+ T cells was increased in patients, the total OKT8+ cell counts were normal in all patient groups. The ratio between OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes was low in the groups of treated MM and of WM patients compared to controls (P less than 0.001). Moreover, the ratio was lower than the normal range in 27% of BMG and 38% of untreated MM patients. The imbalance between OKT4+ and OKT8+ T cells in untreated MM was more pronounced in clinical stage III patients than in stage I and II patients. The most pronounced changes were noted in treated MM patients. The significance of the altered T cell subsets in monoclonal gammopathies with regard to polyclonal and tumor B cell regulation remains to be established.     

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: studies of their temperature dependence, binding characteristics, and specificity in vitro.

The lymphocytotoxicity of 33 lupus sera was tested against purified helper/inducer (OKT4) and cytotoxic/suppressor (OKT8) subsets of T lymphocytes at 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C in vitro. There was significantly less killing of both OKT4 and OKT8 cells at 37 degrees C (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.01) and the ratio of OKT4/OKT8 cell killing at 15 degrees C (1.39 (0.73); mean (SD] was different from that observed at 37 degrees C (0.79 (0.42)) (p less than 0.001). OKT4 killing was greater than OKT8 killing in 21 out of 33 sera at 15 degrees C, while 22 of these sera showed predominantly OKT8 cytotoxicity at 37 degrees C. The relation between the OKT4/OKT8 cell ratio and OKT4/OKT8 serum killing was examined in 22 patients at both temperatures: a significant inverse correlation was observed at 37 degrees C (r = -0.53; p = 0.015) but not at 15 degrees C (p greater than 0.05). The addition of metabolic and cytoskeletal inhibitors increased cytotoxicity at 37 degrees C, but not IgM surface binding. A Scatchard binding analysis of the reaction at 15 degrees C showed that large numbers of antibody molecules were bound to both subsets, with a low average dissociation constant of less than or equal to 6 x 10(-8) mol/l, and electrophoretic blotting indicated that the target surface antigens varied in type and number among individual lymphocytotoxic sera. The demonstration of temperature dependent, tight binding between lymphocytotoxic antibody and variable antigens on the T cell surface emphasises the potential for this phenomenon to affect lymphocyte function in vivo in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Analysis of T lymphocytes after bone marrow transplantation using monoclonal antibodies

Using monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens and fluorescent cell sorter analysis, we studied peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In 13 patients studied 3 mo or more after BMT, the ratio of T-cell subsets defined by antibodies OKT4 and OKT8 was reversed (OKT4/OK%8 = 0.7 +/- 0.3) in comparison to normal volunteers or bone marrow donors (ratio OKT4/OKT8 = 1.7 +/- 0.4) (p less than 0.001). This reversed ratio persisted for up to 3 yr after BMT. In contrast to a previous report, presence of an abnormal ratio of T-cell subsets did not correlate with clinically significant graft- versus-host disease (GVHD). In agreement with a previous study, (26% +/- 8%; less than 4% in normals (p less than 0.001) and antibody OKT10 reactive cells (39% +/- 20% versus 10% +/- 4%) (p less than 0.01), suggesting in vivo activation. However, their PBL did not react with antibody B3/25 (antitransferrin receptor), a marker found on normal PBL after in vitro activation by mitogens (BMT patients less than 5%; normal PBL T cells plus PHA 45% +/- 11%). These results demonstrate that BMT patients have: (A) an abnormal ratio of T-cell subsets in the presence or absence of clinically significant GVDH disease so that these measurements were not useful in monitoring patients; (B) an increased number of T cells with cell surface phenotype (OKT8+, Ia+, OKT10+, B3/25-) that is distinct from normals but similar to patients with infectious mononucleosis or acquired hypogammaglobulinemia.     

Cytochemistry of normal lymphocyte subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies and immunocolloidal gold

The cytochemical reactivities of 3 acid hydrolases, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were investigated in normal peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies OKT3, 4, 8 and FMC4 (anti-Ia). A combined monoclonal antibody-immunocolloidal gold/cytochemical staining procedure was used to determine enzyme activities and distributions of reaction product in each subset. Cytochemical profiles for each lymphocyte subset were defined. The majority (greater than 85%) of T cells (OKT3+) were positive for all 3 enzymes whereas a minority (less than 40%) of B cells (FMC4+) displayed reactivity. The cytochemical profiles of T helper/inducer (OKT4+) and T suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+) cells were not significantly different and corresponded to that observed for OKT3+ cells; thus none of these enzymes can be used to distinguish normal lymphocyte subsets cytochemically. ANAE reactions were further analysed, in the respective subsets, on the basis of dot-like or scattered/diffuse reactivity. The ratios of cells displaying dot-like: scattered/diffuse reactivity, in the respective subsets, were OKT3+, 5.4:1; OKT4+, 8.1:1; OKT8+, 2.4:1; FMC4+, 0.4:1. The cytochemical profiles and ANAE reactivities of T cell subsets identified by monoclonal antibodies differ from those displayed by T cell subsets defined by Fc receptors and confirms that there is little correlation between subsets defined by these two methods.     

T-lymphocyte subpopulations in rheumatoid arthritis. II. Definition by monoclonal antibodies

Samples of peripheral blood of 27 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 27 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were coded and studied for lymphocyte subpopulations. Monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence were used to analyse subpopulations of purified T cells: OKT3 reacts selectively with all peripheral human T cells, OKT4 defines the helper/inducer subpopulation and OKT8 the suppressor/cytotoxic T cells. RA patients had a significantly lower relative lymphocyte count (p less than 0.001). whereas the percentage of all T cells was similar in patients and controls, RA patients had a significantly higher proportion of helper/inducer cells (62 +/- 1.3 vs. 56 +/- 1.0, p less than 0.005) and significantly decreased suppressors/cytotoxic cells (25 +/- 1.5 vs. 32 +/- 1.0; p less than 0.001). This resulted in an increased "immunoregulatory ratio" of helper to suppressor cells in RA patients (2.68 +/- 0.17) compared to their normal controls (1.83 +/- 0.10; p less than 0.001). The proportions of T cells expressing HLA-D-like antigens (defined by a monoclonal antibody to human Ia) was not different in patients and controls. These findings confirm conclusions derived from our previous study of T cell subsets defined by the expression of Fe-receptors (Tm and Tg), that in the peripheral blood of patients with RA, helper mechanisms predominate over suppressor mechanisms. This derangement of the immunoregulatory balance may have an important role in the pathogenesis of seropositive RA.     

Lymphocyte subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage in Sj?gren's syndrome. Evidence for an expansion of cytotoxic/suppressor subset in patients with alveolar neutrophilia

We initiated this study to determine the cellular composition and T-lymphocyte subpopulations of fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage from 15 patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome (1SS), six patients with secondary Sj?gren's syndrome associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (2SS-PBC), eight patients with secondary Sj?gren's syndrome associated with collagen-vascular diseases (2SS-CVD), and 12 normal subjects. All were nonsmokers who were free of clinical pulmonary symptoms and had normal findings on chest roentgenograms. Lymphocyte subsets were identified by mouse monoclonal antibodies that were specific for T-cells, helper/inducer, and suppressor/cytotoxic (namely, OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8). Patients with 1SS, patients with 2SS-PBC, and patients with 2SS-CVD had a significantly increased percentage of lymphocytes in fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage (respectively, 21.6 +/- 3.7 percent, 24.3 +/- 6.1 percent, and 25.6 +/- 3.9 percent) compared with the normal value of control subjects (9.9 +/- 1.5 percent). In addition, two of the 15 patients with 1SS and five of the eight patients with 2SS-CVD demonstrated an increased percentage of alveolar neutrophils. The predominant T-cell subset in patients with 1SS was T4+, and the mean T4:T8 ratio was normal. The percentage of T4+ cells was increased in patients with 2 SS-PBC, resulting in an increased T4:T8 ratio. In contrast, patients with 2 SS-CVD demonstrated a markedly increased percentage of T8+ cells, reflected by a shift in the T4:T8 ratio which was inverted. Patients with Sj?gren's syndrome and with neutrophilia on bronchoalveolar lavage had a marked expansion of the T8+ lymphocyte subpopulation, where as patients with Sj?gren's syndrome and with pure lymphocytosis on bronchoalveolar lavage showed predominantly T4+ cells. In addition, we found a strong positive correlation between the number of neutrophils and the number of T8+ cells in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with Sj?gren's syndrome (r = 0.74; p less than 0.05). Until the functional activities of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells are better defined, the role that these cells play in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease in Sj?gren's syndrome remains unclear.     

外周血DNT细胞和T细胞亚群检测在乙型肝炎病毒感染者诊断中的意义

目的：探讨乙型肝炎病毒感染者外周血CD3＋CD4-CD8-T细胞（DNT）和T细胞亚群的变化及意义。方法使用流式细胞仪检测136例乙型肝炎病毒感染者,包括33例无症状携带者、28例急性乙型肝炎患者、28例轻度慢性乙型肝炎患者、25例中度慢性乙型肝炎患者、22例重度慢性乙型肝炎患者和39例健康人外周血DNT细胞及T细胞亚群。结果健康人群和急性乙型肝炎患者外周血DNT细胞比例分别为（4.82±3.43）%和（4.75±2.71）%,显著低于无症状携带者[（5.43±3.31）%,P〈0.05]和慢性乙型肝炎患者（P〈0.05）;轻度慢性乙型肝炎患者DNT细胞比例为（7.97±4.12）%,显著低于重度慢性乙型肝炎患者[（11.36±5.01）%,P〈0.05];中度慢性乙型肝炎患者DNT细胞比例为（8.41±4.93）%,也显著低于重度慢性乙型肝炎患者（P〈0.05）;健康人、急性乙型肝炎患者和无症状携带者之间 T 淋巴细胞亚群分布无明显差异,但随着慢性乙型肝炎患者病情加重,外周血 CD3＋、CD3＋CD4＋CD8-细胞比例降低（P〈0.05）,CD3＋CD4-CD8＋细胞比例升高（P〈0.05）。结论外周血DNT细胞比例的升高与乙型肝炎病毒感染者慢性化及慢性乙型肝炎患者的疾病进程有关。     

Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subpopulations defined by monoclonal antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis: distribution in patients untreated and treated by oral gold therapy

The distribution of T lymphocyte subsets was determined in peripheral blood (PB) of two groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis by using monoclonal antibodies (OKT). In untreated patients the percentage of OKT4+ cells (helper/inducer) was found to be significantly increased as compared to healthy controls. In patients receiving oral gold therapy a similar increase in OKT4+ cells was confirmed; furthermore, these patients showed a significant decrease in OKT8+ cell population (cytotoxic/suppressor) compared to untreated patients and to normal controls. A small numerical superimposition of values of OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes was observed in untreated but not in treated patients.     

Immunoregulatory T cell subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: the influence of homosexuality

The purposes of this study were 2-fold: (i) To enumerate peripheral immunoregulatory T cell subsets in untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and (ii) to examine the relationship between disturbances in the balance of lymphocyte subsets with liver disease and the presence of homosexuality. Circulating T lymphocyte subsets were evaluated by monoclonal antibodies to the following cell antigens: OKT3 (total T cells), OKT4 (helper/inducer T cells), and OKT8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells). The following groups of subjects were examined: (i) 16 heterosexuals with HBV-associated chronic active hepatitis (CAHB); (ii) 10 heterosexual, healthy HBsAg carriers, and (iii) 16 male homosexuals with CAHB. Controls included 51 healthy heterosexuals and 12 healthy, noninfected male homosexuals. We were able to demonstrate that heterosexuals with CAHB had T4/T8 ratios which did not differ from those of noninfected heterosexuals. Both healthy carriers and healthy homosexuals, however, exhibited significantly lower T4/T8 ratios than did noninfected heterosexuals (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01, respectively). In addition, homosexuals with CAHB had lower (1.5 +/- 0.1) T4/T8 ratios than did heterosexuals with CAHB (2.0 +/- 0.2). A possible mechanism for these findings is discussed. The data indicate that the presence of homosexuality may be an important factor to consider when evaluating immunoregulatory subsets in CAHB.     

Influence of testosterone therapy on clinical and immunological features of autoimmune diseases associated with Klinefelter's syndrome

To examine the role of sex steroid hormones in the development of autoimmune diseases, we studied five patients with Klinefelter's syndrome associated with autoimmune disease, three of whom had Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) and two of whom had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum testosterone (T) and LH levels, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) titers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemolytic complement (CH50) levels, and peripheral T lymphocyte subsets (OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8+) were measured before treatment, after 60 days of placebo treatment, and after 60 days of oral T undecanoate (TU) treatment. Before treatment and after placebo, with respect to normal men, the patients had lower serum T and higher LH levels, lower percentages and absolute values of OKT3+ (total T lymphocytes) and OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes) cells, and, consequently, an increased OKT4/OKT8 ratio. Hemolytic complement (CH50) in serum was below normal in the two patients with SLE, while it was normal in the patients with SS. The ESR was above normal in all patients, and all had high titers of ANA and RF. After TU therapy, serum T levels increased and LH levels decreased, but not to normal. OKT3+ and OKT8+ cells and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio became normal, and RF and ANA titers decreased. The CH50 level did not change in the SS patients, while it increased to normal in the two patients with SLE. The ESR decreased in all patients during therapy. Furthermore, after TU therapy, both the SS and SLE patients had a clinical remission of their autoimmune disease. Our results indicate a therapeutic effect of T on autoimmune diseases in patients with hypogonadism and Klinefelter's syndrome.     

T-lymphocyte subsets and serum carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with lung cancer and its dynamic changes after therapy]

Using the indirect immunofluorescent assay, we observed the variation of T-lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood in 100 patients of primary bronchogenic carcinoma and 31 cases with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum CEA were measured simultaneously. The decrease of OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT8+ lymphocytes were significant in patients with lung cancer than that in healthy controls (P less than 0.01). The ratio of OKT4+/OKT8+ increased. It suggested that both cellular immunoincompetence and immunoregulatory abnormality were present in patients with lung cancer. After the resection of tumors 65 cases, the percentage of OKT4+ cells increased at the first week. Fourty seven cases were observed continuously for six months, it was found that OKT8+ cells increased (P less than 0.01). After anticancer chemotherapy, the patients with small cell carcinoma revealed a similar changes too. After operation and chemotherapy, serum CEA level decreased significantly too.     

肺表面活性物质对哮喘T细胞亚群细胞周期及其调节蛋白的影响

目的 观察肺表面活性物质(PS)对发作期哮喘患者T细胞亚群细胞周期及其调节蛋白的影响,揭示PS对CD4+、CD8+T细胞增殖周期的具体作用机制及其在哮喘治疗中的意义.方法 利用细胞培养技术,通过体外PS干预,流式细胞仪测定经PS干预和未经PS干预的CD4+、CD8+T细胞的细胞周期分布和CD4+、CD8+T细胞内细胞周期调节蛋白p27kipl、cyclinE、cyclinA、cyclinB的表达水平.结果 哮喘患者CD4+、CD8+T细胞分别与PS体外共同培养后,加PS组的S期、G2/M期的CD4+T比例显著低于对照组(P＜0.01);G0/G1期的CD4+T细胞比例显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).加PS组的S期CD8+T比例显著低于对照组(P＜0.01);G2期的CD8+T细胞比例略低于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);G0/G1期的CD8+T细胞比例高于对照组(P＜0.05).CD4+T细胞内p27kipl的表达水平高于对照组(P＜0.05);CD4+T细胞内cyclinE表达水平显著低于对照组(P＜0.01);CD4+T细胞内cyclinA、cyclinB的表达水平低于对照组(P＜0.05).CD8+T细胞内p27kipl的表达水平高于对照组(P＜0.05);CD8+T细胞内cyclinE、cyclinA表达水平低于对照组(P＜0.01);CD8T细胞内cyclinB的表达水平与对照组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 PS通过抑制CD4+T细胞的正性细胞周期调节蛋白cyclinE、cyclinA、cyclinB的表达和上调其负性细胞周期调节蛋白p27kipl的表达,抑制CD4+T细胞的DNA合成和细胞分裂,进而抑制CD4+T细胞增殖;通过下调CD8+T细胞内cyclinE、cyclinA的表达,上调p27kippl的表达,抑制CD8+T细胞DNA合成.

Abstract：

Objective The aim of this study was to observe the effect of pulmonary surfactant (PS)on the cell cycle distribution and expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in T lymphocyte subsets in patients with asthma attack and evaluate the molecular regulatory mechanism of PS on T lymphocyte subsets cell proliferation cycle during asthma attack and its therapy significance. Methods The CD4+、CD8+ T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood of 30 patients with asthma attack were incubated with PS,the cell cycle and the expression of p27kipl , CyclinE, CyclinA, CyclinB in CD4+ , CD8+ T lymphocytes with PS and without PS were anasyzed by flow cytometry. Results CD4 + T lymphocytes with PS progressed into S phase and G2/M phase were significantly lower than those without PS( P ＜0.01). But remained in G0/G1 phase were significantly higher than those without PS (P ＜ 0.01). CD8+ T lymphocytes with PS progressed into S phase were significantly lower than those without PS( P ＜0.01),G2/M phase were little lower than those without PS( P ＞ 0.05), Go/G1 phase were higher than those without PS( P ＜0.05). The expression of p27kipl in CD4+T lymphocytes with PS was higher than that without PS( P ＜0.05). The expression of cyclinE in CD4+ T lymphocytes with PS was significantly lower than that without PS( P ＜0.01 ). The expression of cyclinA,cyclinB in CD4+ T lymphocytes with PS were lower than those without PS( P ＜0.05). The expression of p27kipl in CD8+ T lymphocytes with PS was higher than that without PS( P ＜0.05). The expression of cyclinE and cyclinA in CD8+ T lymphocytes with PS were significantly lower than that without PS( P ＜0. 01). The expression of cyclinB in CD8+ T lymphocytes with PS was little lower than that without PS( P ＞0.05). Conclusions During asthma attack,PS can inhibit the DNA synthesis, cell division and proliferation of CD4+T lymphocytes by inhibiting positive cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclinE, cyclinA, cyclinB expression and increasing negative cell cycle regulatory protein p27kipl expression in CD4+ T lymphocytes. PS can inhibit the DNA synthesis of CD8+ T lymphocytes by inhibiting positive cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclinE, cyclinA,expression and increasing negative cell cycle regulatory protein p27kipl expression in CD8+ T lymphocytes.