title: Role of the T cell receptor in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
abstract: During the past few decades a number of studies has described T cell defects and attempted to elucidate their role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Some studies implicate T cells as potential initiators of autoantibody production in ITP. However, only a few of these have studied the role that the T cell receptor may play in the pathogenesis of ITP. In a variety of autoimmune syndromes interest has focused on the alpha- and beta-chains of the T cell receptor. Deviations from the normal T cell receptor gene usage have been reported in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythaematosus and multiple sclerosis. Usually, these studies have shown a restricted heterogeneity of T cell receptor variable gene usage. The studies on the T cell receptor in ITP have included a limited number of patients, which makes it difficult to evaluate the significance of the role that the T cell receptor may play in the pathogenesis of ITP. Further studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Sach's Children's Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hedlund-Treutiger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wahlström
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elinder
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell