Intrathyroidal activated (Ia+) T-lymphocyte CD+ subsets and B cells in Graves' hyperthyroidism respond rapidly to propylthiouracil therapy: demonstration using fine needle aspirates and two-colour laser flow cytometry.

Abstract

Using a rapid (whole blood lysis) single laser microfluorocytometric technique that permitted the simultaneous analysis of two monoclonal antibody surface markers tagged with different fluorescent dyes, the intrathyroidal (IT) and peripheral blood (PB) activated [Ia+ = DR+] T-lymphocyte CD3+ subsets and [F(ab')2+] B cells were studied in hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease (GD) before and after 1-4 months of propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy. IT lymphocytes were obtained by serial fine needle aspiration. In untreated patients a marked quantitative (approximately < 10 fold) increase in activated (Ia+ CD3+) T-lymphocytes as well as CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, for IT compared to PB sites, was found. The percentages of Ia+ CD4+ and Ia+ CD8+ within Ia+ CD3+ were not significantly different between the two sources of T cells. F(ab')2+. B cells were significantly increased (approximately 2-3 fold) in IT compared to PB. In hyperthyroid GD patients, PTU therapy induced rapid and specific changes within the Ia+ CD3+ subsets, namely a reduction in the Ia+ CD4+ subset and an increase in the Ia+ CD8+ subset, resulting in a marked decrease in the Ia+ CD4+/Ia+ CD8+ ratio. These changes occurred in association with a reduction in serum T4 and T3 concentration. No significant changes could be detected within the total (predominantly non-activated) CD3+, CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocyte subsets within PB and only a small decrease in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was demonstrated in IT, following PTU treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: P G Walfish, K H Tseng
• Journal: Autoimmunity (Autoimmunity) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 35-41 ( 1992) ISSN: 0891-6934 [Print] England
• PMID: 1420805 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
• Propylthiouracil

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Biopsy, Needle
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Graves Disease (drug therapy, immunology)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (analysis)
• Humans
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Propylthiouracil (therapeutic use)
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)