title: Decreased level of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT8+) in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis: relation to disease activity.
abstract: Separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy with monoclonal antisera for T cells (OKT3+), helper/inducer T cells (OKT4+) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT8+). Thirty-seven patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), 13 of whom had positive biopsies for arteritis, were studied and compared with 25 age and sex matched normal subjects. The percentages of OKT3+ and OKT4+ T cells were similar in the PMR group and controls, but percentage of OKT8+ T cells was significantly reduced in patients (14.8 +/- 6.8) compared with controls (22.1 +/- 6.3). Values of OKT8+ T cells were extremely low in untreated patients with active, acute disease (7.8 +/- 4.4%) and significantly lower than in prednisone treated patients with inactive disease (17.3 +/- 5.9). These findings indicate that low values of circulating OKT8+ T cells is a feature of PMR and is related to disease activity.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elling
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone