Circulating class II transplantation antigen-expressing T lymphocytes in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus at diagnosis.
The occurrence of circulating class II antigen-expressing T lymphocytes was examined in 25 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus using an indirect double immunofluorescence assay on prefixed cell samples. In order to exclude sensitization to heterologous insulin as a possible factor affecting the results, the patients were investigated at the day of clinical onset, before receiving insulin. An increased percentage of T cells (CD3+ cells) expressing class II antigens was seen in 19 out of 25 patients and class II expression was observed on cells within both the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. No correlation was found between the levels of class II expressing T cells and the individual degree of metabolic derangement or indicators of recent infection. Re-testing of 16 patients after one year on insulin treatment revealed a significant decrease of class II expressing T cell levels. Our data suggest that the increased levels of class II expressing T cells seen in IDDM of recent onset directly reflects immune reactions that are related to the disease process.
Karlsson-Parra
A
A
Department of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Kobbah
M
M
Ewald
U
U
Tuvemo
T
T
Forsum
U
U
Klareskog
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015803:HLA-DR3 Antigen; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015803:HLA-DR3 Antigen; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen