A double-label flow cytometric analysis of the simultaneous expression of OKT4 and Leu2a antigens on circulating T lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis.
A two-color immunofluorescence analysis of circulating abnormal T lymphocytes bearing both helper (T4) and suppressor/cytotoxic (Leu2a) T cell markers (double marker cells) was performed by means of the laser flow cytometry system. The double marker cell level was very low in 6 patients with multiple sclerosis and 12 normal controls studied. Fifteen of 31 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) showed an elevation of double marker cells without an increase in T6-positive cells. The values were significantly higher in patients with thymoma or thymic hyperplasia than in those with a normal thymus. The double marker cell level was considered to reflect thymic abnormality in MG and to be helpful for determining the indication of thymectomy.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface