Selective depletion and activation of CD8+ lymphocytes from peripheral blood of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.
A prospective study of 33 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) was undertaken, firstly, to monitor sequentially peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocyte levels and, secondly, to assess the expression of activation markers on T lymphocyte subsets. The results indicated that there was a significant decrease in absolute numbers and relative percentages of CD8+ T lymphocytes, which returned to normal ranges after approximately 24 months' treatment, and that there was an increased percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes in PMR/GCA which express HLA class II antigens.
Dasgupta
B
B
Rheumatology Unit, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London.
Duke
O
O
Timms
A M
AM
Pitzalis
C
C
Panayi
G S
GS
D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*