T lymphocyte subsets in patients with newly diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes: A prospective study

Abstract

Summary. T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood from 11 newly diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients were studied prospectively at three time intervals: as soon as possible after diagnosis, 3 weeks and 5 months later. Lymphocytes were marked with monoclonal OKT antibodies and examined in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The percentage of T lymphocytes (OKT 3) did not change significantly at the three study times. The percentage of helper/inducer T cells (OKT 4) was high the first week after diagnosis, but decreased at the 5-month examination (p< 0.05). The percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT 8) was low at diagnosis but increased at 3 weeks (p< 0.02) and 5 months (p< 0.01). The ratio OKT 4/OKT 8 lymphocytes was 2.28 at diagnosis, decreasing to 1.77 at 3 weeks and 1.87 at 5 months, compared with 1.46 for 16 age-matched control subjects. There was no significant change in the absolute number of lymphocytes. It is concluded that the distribution of T cell subsets was abnormal at the time of diagnosis, but changed towards normal within a few weeks, after which there was no significant change at 5 months. It is as yet unknown whether the high proportion of helper/inducer T cells and/or the low percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells at diagnosis favour immune reactions involved in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes.

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus in the Bio-Breeding/Worcester rat. Evidence in vitro for natural killer cell lysis of islet cells.

“…In contrast to the BB rat, human subjects do not demonstrate lymphopenia or defects in proportions of T and B lymphocytes (40). Abnormalities of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations have been reported, however, and these include decreased T-suppressor cell numbers and activity (41)(42)(43), the presence of activated (Ia+) T cells (44,45), and increased killer cells (46) and killer cell activity (47). Killer cells are responsible for antibodydependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.…”

A Variable CD3+ T-Cell Frequency in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Associated with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Development in the LEW.1AR1-iddm Rat

“…Several studies have reported an increased CD4 + /CD8 + ratio also at the onset of human T1DM, either due to a decrease in CD8 + T-cells or an increase in CD4 + T-cells [35]–[38]. However, during the prediabetic period studies found a normal or decreased CD4 + /CD8 + ratio [39], [40].…”

Type-specific human papillomavirus detection in cervical smears in Romania

“…A lower antibody titer might facilitate presentation of the virus particles to the CD4 effector T cells and a cellular inflammation will take place. Interestingly, T1D patients have lower antibody titers against Coxsackie virus than healthy controls (164, 165). During this possible class II immunity against virus, interferon α will be activated.…”