Detection of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in relatives of patients with type I diabetes.
Concentrations of lymphocytotoxic antibodies were measured in serum samples from 19 patients recently diagnosed as having type I diabetes and 43 healthy relatives (33 consanguineous and 10 non-consanguineous). The specificity of the reaction was tested at 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C against T lymphocytes and purified helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor subsets. The concentrations of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in each of the three test groups were significantly higher than those in controls (type I patients, p less than 0.005; consanguineous relatives, p less than 0.001; and non-consanguineous relatives, p less than 0.002). The frequency of detection of the antibodies was also greater in each of the study groups (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.01, and p less than 0.05, respectively). Cytotoxicity affected both subsets at 15 degrees C but only cytotoxic/suppressor cells at 37 degrees C. The findings of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in healthy relatives of type I diabetics, irrespective of consanguinity, suggests that an environmental agent such as a virus is at least partially responsible for this lymphocytotoxic effect. Furthermore, the residual cytotoxic/suppressor cell killing at 37 degrees C could explain the defect of suppressor cells observed in these patients.
Charlesworth
J A
JA
Peake
P
P
Campbell
L V
LV
Rumma
J
J
Pussell
B A
BA
Howard
N
N
Elder
G J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003241:Consanguinity; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013696:Temperature
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum