The effect of cyclophosphamide on B and T lymphocytes in patients with connective tissue diseases.
Absolute numbers of B (IgG-, IgM-, and IgA-staining) and T lymphocytes (sheep erythrocyte rosette-forming cells) were determined in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other connective tissue diseases in cyclophosphamide-treated and noncyclophosphamide-treated patients and in control subjects. In patients receiving cyclophosphamide, all three types of immunoglobulin-staining varieties of circulating B lymphocytes were significantly decreased. At the same time the circulating T lymphocytes were also significantly reduced. In patients with scleroderma treated with therapeutic doses of cyclophosphamide and studied sequentially, the reduction in B lymphocytes occurred first, with eventual depletion of both cell types. In 2 patients, an early rebound increase in T cells occurred followed by a marked reduction. These data indicate that the immunosuppressive effects of cyclophosphamide may be associated with a reduction in both cell types.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation; D003095:Collagen Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D011241:Prednisone