Subpopulations of human T lymphocytes. IX. Imbalance of T cell subpopulations in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.
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.
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011961:Receptors, Fc