Increase of peripheral B lymphocytes in Graves' disease.
Peripheral T and B lymphocytes were examined in autoimmune thyroid diseases. The percentages of T and B lymphocytes were calculated from the proportions of E and EAC rosette-forming cells and peroxidase-positive cells determined by micromethods. In thyrotoxic Graves' disease, the percentage of T cells was significantly lower, and the percentage of B cells was higher than in normal controls. The absolute count of B lymphocytes was also markedly increased. The serum levels of thyroid hormones showed a significant correlation with the percentage of B cells and an inverse correlation with that of T cells in untreated cases of Graves' disease. Similar abnormalities of lymphocyte subpopulations were observed in patients with thyrotoxic Graves' disease under drug therapy, but the proportions and absolute counts of T and B lymphocytes were normal in euthyroid patients with Graves' disease, either under drug therapy or in remission. No abnormalities in T and B cells were found in Hashimoto's disease. The data indicate that the main feature of the abnormality of the lymphocyte subpopulations in thyrotoxic Graves' disease is an increase of B lymphocytes. The reasons for the discrepancy between our results and those of earlier reports and for the B cell abnormality in Graves' disease are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D013963:Thyroid Hormones