Lymphocyte markers in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.
18 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were investigated. An absolute lymphopenia and a decrease in the number of E-rosettes and early E-rosette forming cells were found. The number of T gamma cells was reduced as compared to the control values. No diminution was found in the number of histamine receptor bearing cells but the number of T lymphocytes capable of recognizing autologous red blood cells was considerably decreased. The number and the ratio of these T cell subpopulations remained relatively stable even after 6 months in the patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. No individual correlation was found between the clinical findings and the ratio of T cell subpopulations.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D012397:Rosette Formation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic