Evaluation of T cell subsets in myasthenia gravis using anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies.
Functional T cell subsets have been evaluated in the peripheral blood of patients with myasthenia gravis using monoclonal anti-T cell antibodies and a suppressor cell assay based on the suppression of the mixed-lymphocyte reaction by concanavalin A-activated lymphocytes. A significant decline of suppressor cells was found in a large proportion of patients, both by direct count using the anti-suppressor-cytotoxic T cell antibody (OKT8) and by the suppressor assay. Patients also showed an increase in immature T cells defined by their simultaneous reaction with the anti-helper cell (OKT4) and anti-suppressor cell (OKT8) antibody. Thymectomy tended to enhance the deficit in suppressor cells, and to induce the disappearance of double-labelled cells.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A