A study of T CD4, CD8 and B lymphocytes in narcoleptic patients.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleep and cataplexy. Little is known about the possible difference in pathophysiology between patients with or without cataplexy.

OBJECTIVE:

To quantify T CD4, T CD8 and B lymphocytes in subgroups of patients with narcolepsy and the presence or absence of the HLA-DQB1*0602 allele between groups.

METHOD:

Our study was prospective and controlled (transversal) with 22 narcoleptic patients and 23 health control subjects. Patients underwent an all-night polysomnographic recording (PSG) and a multiple sleep latency Test (MSLT). The histocompatibility antigen allele (HLA-DQB1*0602), T CD4, CD8 and B lymphocytes were quantified in control subjects and in narcoleptics.

RESULTS:

The HLA-DQB1*0602 allele was identified in 10 (62.5%) of our 16 cataplexic subjects and in 2 (33.3%) of the 6 patients without cataplexy (p=0.24). In control subjects, HLA-DQB1*0602 allele was identified in 5 (20%). A significant decrease in T CD4 and B lymphocytes was found in narcoleptic patients with recurrent cataplexy when compared with our patients without cataplexy.

CONCLUSION:

Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were associated with a decrease in sub-group of T CD4 and B lymphocytes. A drop in B lymphocytes count in reumathoid arthritis might, it is posited, be correlated to the presence of HLA-DRB1 allele along with an overall worsened outcome of the affliction. The theory of an increase in consumption of B lymphocytes over the maturation phase has likewise been put forward. Our study reinforces the view that narcolepsy should be considered from an immunological perspective.

• Authors: Fernando Morgadinho Santos Coelho, Márcia Pradella-Hallinan, Gabriela Rodrigues Alves, Lia Rita Azeredo Bittencourt, Mário Pedrazzoli Neto, Fábio Moreira, Sérgio Tufik
• Journal: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria (Arq Neuropsiquiatr) Vol. 65 Issue 2B Pg. 423-7 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0004-282X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17665008 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Genetic Markers
• HLA-DQ Antigens
• HLA-DQ beta-Chains
• HLA-DQB1 antigen

Topics

• Adult
• Alleles
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD4-CD8 Ratio
• Case-Control Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Genetic Markers
• HLA-DQ Antigens (genetics, immunology)
• HLA-DQ beta-Chains
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Narcolepsy (genetics, immunology)
• Prospective Studies
• Sleep Stages (physiology)
• Time Factors
• Wakefulness (physiology)