title: Analysis of cellular immunity in patients with Graves' disease.
abstract: Graves' disease has attracted considerable attention as an autoimmune disease. In this study, cellular immunity in patients with this disease was assessed. Specifically examined was the lymphocyte response to mitogens, Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the percentage of lymphocyte subsets. No significant difference was observed in the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and poke-weed mitogen (PWM) between untreated patients with Graves' disease and healthy people. IL-2 production in untreated patients, however, was significantly greater than that of healthy people. While a significant decrease was observed in the percentage of CD8+ cells in untreated patients, no difference was found in the percentage of CD5+, CD4+ and HLA-DR+ cells between them and healthy people. It is thought that the enhancement of IL-2 production by PBMCs and the decrease in the percentage of CD8+ cells (cytotoxic/suppressor cell) are associated with abnormalities in the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiobiology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takaishi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobuke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamakido
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D013963:Thyroid Hormones