Functional defect of T cells in autoimmune gastritis.
The functional response and phenotypic characterisation of peripheral blood T cells were studied in 41 patients with autoimmune gastritis--nine patients with autoimmune gastritis alone, 11 with untreated pernicious anaemia, and 21 with resolved pernicious anaemia who were taking vitamin B-12. Phenotypic analysis showed no changes in the CD4/CD8 ratio in any group of patients. CD3+ cells were significantly decreased and CD16+ cells were significantly increased in patients with autoimmune gastritis alone. Phytohaemagglutinin induced T cell proliferation, with or without interleukin 2, was reduced in the three groups. T cell proliferation induced by phorbol myristate acetate was normal. Interleukin 2 production of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes was normal in the three groups. Five patients with pernicious anaemia treated with vitamin B-12 were followed and persistent hypoproliferation of T cells in response to phytohaemagglutinin was observed. The follow up study of the phenotype of these patients showed a significant increase of the CD2+ CD3- lymphocyte population after six months' treatment. In conclusion, the three groups of autoimmune gastritis patients studied have a functional defect in T cells that is independent of B-12 treatment and of the presence of pernicious anaemia.
Vargas
J A
JA
Department of Medicine, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Alvarez-Mon
M
M
Manzano
L
L
Albillos
A
A
Fernandez-Corugedo
A
A
Albarrán
F
F
Durántez
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use
D017252:CD3 Complex; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D014805:Vitamin B 12