title: Abnormalities of circulating T cell subsets in atopy: influence of specific immunotherapy.
abstract: Blood samples of patients with severe respiratory allergic diseases contain increased numbers of T cells bearing surface HLA-DR antigens, indicating the presence of activated T cells. In the same group of patients, MLR3 and MLR4, two monoclonal antibodies (Mab) directed to subsets of activated peripheral T cells, recognize T cell percentages within the normal range. Thus, it seems possible that specialized subsets of activated T cells (HLA-DR+/MLR3-MLR-) are represented in the peripheral blood of atopic patients. Such cells are lacking in patients after specific immunotherapy. Similar results--an increased percentage of 5/9+ T cells in untreated patients and normal counts of 5/9+ T cells in treated ones--were obtained in the two groups of patients by using another Mab, 5/9, which serves as a reliable marker of helper T cells in resting peripheral T lymphocytes. These data further support the concept of a T cell imbalance in allergic patients and suggest a possible role of specific immunotherapy in correcting the modification of peripheral T cell abnormalities.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc