Abstract
Peripheral blood from 25 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was examined for any alteration in the proportions and or functions of immunoregulatory T-cell subsets, defined with monoclonal antibodies. Ten of 25 (40%) patients demonstrated deficiency of OKT8 + (suppressor/cytotoxic) T-cells. Eight of these 10 patients had abnormally high ratios of OKT4 +/OKT8 + T-cells. Nine of 10 patients with abnormally low proportion of OKT8 + T-cells had deficient concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity against the proliferative response of autologous or allogeneic lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin. No correlation was observed between the deficiency of suppressor T-cells and the control of diabetes. Therefore, it is likely that the deficiency of suppressor cells is related to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus itself and not to the metabolic changes that are associated with diabetes mellitus. This study demonstrates both quantitative and qualitative deficiency of suppressor T-cells in at least some patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, that might play an important role in the pathogenesis and autoimmune manifestations of a proportion of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.