title: Selective depletion and activation of CD8+ lymphocytes from peripheral blood of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Timms
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitzalis
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Panayi
mesh_terms: 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*