Analysis of Cellular Immunity in Patients with Graves' Disease

Takaishi Masatoshi

Kobuke Kyoko

Akiyama Mitoshi

Hara Hitoshi

Yamakido Michio

Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences

[PISSN] 0018-2052

[EISSN] 2433-7668

[NCID] AA00664312

Graves' disease has attracted considerable attention as an autoimmune disease. In this study, cellular immunity in patients with this disease was assessed. Specifically examined was the lymphocyte response to mitogens, Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the percentage of lymphocyte subsets. No significant difference was observed in the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) between untreated patients with Graves' disease and healthy people. IL-2 production in untreated patients, however, was significantly greater than that of healthy people. While a significant decrease was observed in the percentage of CD8+ cells in untreated patients, no difference was found in the percentage of CD5+, CD4+ and HLA-DR+ cells between them and healthy people. It is thought that the enhancement of IL-2 production by PBMCs and the decrease in the percentage of CD8+ cells (cytotoxic/suppressor cell) are associated with abnormalities in the immune system.

Graves' disease

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

Lymphocyte subset

Mitogen

Medical sciences [ 490 ]

eng

Hiroshima University Medical Press

[ISSN] 0018-2052

[NCID] AA00664312

[PMID] 2086560