Lowered Fc IgG receptor-bearing T lymphocytes correlate with non-organ-specific autoantibodies in silicosis.
A survey of silicosis patients and people exposed to silica dust was set up in an effort to look for any relationship between humoral and cell-mediated autoimmune phenomena. It was found that in both sets of subjects, the level of Fc IgG receptor-bearing T lymphocytes was significantly reduced, there was also an inverse correlation between these cell concentrations and IgG- and IgM-circulating immune complex levels. In addition, raised levels of various autoantibodies were found in both groups, however, none of the exposed subjects has developed silicosis to date.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012829:Silicosis / Q000276:immunology*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor