title: Enumeration of autoreactive helper T lymphocytes in uveitis.
abstract: In a one-stage, interleukin-2 (IL-2), limiting-dilution analysis, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with uveitis and normal control subjects were assayed for S-antigen specific, tetanus-specific, and in vivo activated helper T cells. Controls subjects consistently demonstrated tetanus-specific responses, but neither in vivo activation nor S-antigen specific helper T cell responses were seen. Patients with active forms of diffuse, posterior, and anterior uveitis were found to have significant frequencies of both in vivo activated and S-antigen specific helper T cells in their peripheral blood. These data show that patients with certain forms of uveitis have a measurable frequency of lymphocytes in the peripheral immunologic compartment capable of secreting IL-2 in response to autologous presentation of ocular autoantigen (S-antigen). Limiting-dilution analysis techniques, generating minimal responder cell frequency estimates and distinct IL secretion patterns, may provide an index of disease activity and critical information about the mechanism(s) of ocular inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Opremcak
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cowans
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Orosz
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Whisler
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000494:pharmacology; D019393:Arrestin; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007201:Indicator Dilution Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D012016:Reference Values; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology*; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D019393:Arrestin; D001324:Autoantigens; D005136:Eye Proteins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D013744:Tetanus Toxin