Cell-mediated immunity in Graves' disease: Evaluation by count of rosette-forming cells

Abstract

Lymphocyte surface markers (using E active-, E total-, EA- and EAC-rosettes and membrane immunoglobulin assay) were examined in 34 clinically and biochemically euthyroid patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy, in 19 hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease and exophthalmos (12 untreated and 7 treated), in 7 patients with inflammatory or malignant exophthalmos, and 74 control subjects. Results suggest that the percentage of T and B lymphocytes and EAC-rosette-forming cells in patients with Graves' disease was not significantly different from that observed in the controls. In contrast, EA-RFC seemed significantly involved ( P < 0·001) in pathogenesis or in tissue damage of ophthalmopathy. The ability of antithyroid agents to affect circulating cell populations (i.e. immunomodulator activity of methimazole) was also observed.