title: Enumeration of T-lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte subsets in rheumatoid arthritis using monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: The number of T-lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte subsets was measured in peripheral blood of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. T-lymphocytes were counted by E-rosette tests and by the immunogold staining method with OKT3.PAN monoclonal antibody. Helper and suppressor T-lymphocytes were determined by the immunogold staining method with OKT4.IND and OKT8.SUP monoclonal antibody. The relative and absolute numbers of T-lymphocytes and helper T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with RA did not differ significantly from those in the blood of healthy subjects. However, the relative and absolute numbers of suppressor T-cells were significantly lower in patients with RA than in healthy subjects. The decrease of suppressor T-cells in the blood of patients with RA dit not correlate with the activity of the disease nor the presence of the rheumatoid factor.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal