Cell-mediated immunity and symptomatic diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
T lymphocytes have been implicated in the nerve damage observed in allergic experimental neuritis and in idiopathic polyneuritis. Symptomatic autonomic neuropathy in long-standing Type 1 diabetes is a rare and unexplained complication, and some preliminary evidence has suggested a pathogenetic role for the immune system. We have measured levels of activated T lymphocytes in 18 Type 1 diabetic patients with symptomatic autonomic neuropathy and in 16 matched patients with uncomplicated Type 1 diabetes. Purified T lymphocytes from peripheral blood were stained with a fluorescein-labelled monoclonal antibody directed to the activation marker HLA-DR and counted under UV microscopy. Percent DR positive T lymphocytes were significantly raised in the patients with autonomic neuropathy when compared with long-standing uncomplicated diabetic patients (8.2 +/- 4.2 vs 4.9 +/- 3.3%, p less than 0.01). This finding lends support for a role of the immune system in the development of autonomic neuropathy.
Gilbey
S G
SG
Diabetic Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Hussain
M J
MJ
Watkins
P J
PJ
Vergani
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000276:immunology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology