title: Circulating HLA-DR bearing T cells: correlation with genetic rather than clinical variables.
abstract: Elevated levels of circulating HLA-DR bearing (activated) T cells have been reported in a variety of conditions. The role played by these cells in the pathogenesis of disease is not established. We found elevated levels of activated T lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), dermatitis herpetiformis, gluten sensitive enteropathy, as well as presumed healthy persons with HLA-B8 antigen. We could not show any change in the concentration of these cells with disease activity, therapy, or in a case of dermatitis herpetiformis, challenge with the presumed antigen, gluten. Our studies do not suggest an apparent causal relationship between activated T lymphocytes and the above disorders.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015795:HLA-B8 Antigen; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015795:HLA-B8 Antigen; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid