Ia-positive T lymphocytes in recently diagnosed idiopathic Addison's disease.
The Ia (DR, immune-associated) antigen is absent on normal circulating T lymphocytes, but present on activated T lymphocytes. Utilizing monoclonal antibody L243, the expression of this glycoprotein on circulating T lymphocytes was studied in five patients with recent-onset idiopathic Addison's disease, one patient with recent-onset adrenal hemorrhage, and nine patients with long-standing adrenal insufficiency (five with idiopathic Addison's disease and four after bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease). The patient with adrenal hemorrhage and the nine patients with long-standing adrenal insufficiency had percentages of circulating Ia-positive T cells within the normal range. All five patients with recent-onset idiopathic Addison's disease had an elevated percentage of circulating Ia-positive T cells (7 to 29 percent). The expression of Ia antigen on T cells in recent-onset idiopathic Addison's disease probably reflects immunologic activation, which may be of pathophysiologic importance.
D000224:Addison Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D003165:Complement System Proteins