title: Enumeration of lymphocyte populations in whole peripheral blood of patients with antibody-mediated nephritis during treatment with cyclosporin A.
abstract: Lymphocyte populations identified by surface markers were enumerated in whole peripheral blood of 3 patients with Goodpasture's syndrome (mediated by anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody) whilst on treatment with cyclosporin A (CSA). The whole blood method, using alkaline phosphatase-labelled reagents, permits precise enumeration of the relative and absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets in the circulation. Using conventional rabbit and monoclonal mouse anti-human T-cell antibodies, a small decrease in the percentage of T-lymphocytes was noted following the start of CSA treatment. The absolute T-cell count fell, but only to just below normal. There was no marked or consistent effect on the percentages or absolute numbers of B-cells, C3b-receptor or Fc(gamma)-receptor bearing lymphocytes. These results are compatible with a mechanism of immunosuppression by CSA in which there is selective inhibition of a relatively minor subset of T-lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019867:Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000378:metabolism; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D003524:Cyclosporins; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D003179:Complement C3b