CD5-positive B cells in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children.
We have measured CD5+ B cell levels in the peripheral blood of 35 type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children, aged 1.1-21.2 years (10.7 +/- 4.6 years). Patients were divided into two groups according to disease duration (group I < 6 months and group II > 1.5 years). Group I included 18 patients and group II 17 patients. Thirty-nine healthy subjects, comparable for age and sex, served as controls. CD5+ B cells were identified by double immunofluorescence staining with rhodamine-conjugated rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin and with a mouse anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody revealed by a fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. We found that CD5+ B cell levels (expressed as percentages of peripheral blood B lymphocytes) were significantly higher in group I (median 24; range 4-48) than in controls (median 14; range 0-36, P < 0.001) and in group II (median 4; range 0-20, P < 0.001). A follow-up study of 12 group I patients showed a significant decline in CD5+ B cell levels. The data obtained in our diabetic patients suggest that CD5+ B cells are expanded in the early phase of type 1 diabetes mellitus and may play a role in the autoimmune process of the disease.
Lorini
R
R
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy.
Massa
M
M
d'Annunzio
G
G
Cortona
L
L
De Benedetti
F
F
Martini
A
A
Severi
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D007330:Insulin Antibodies; C024211:islet cell antibody