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Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Graves' Ophthalmopathy
Norman T. Felberg, PhD;
Robert C. Sergott, MD;
Peter J. Savino, MD;
John J. Blizzard, MD;
Norman J. Schatz, MD;
Jonathan Amsel, DSc
Arch Ophthalmol. 1985;103(5):656-659.
Abstract
• We assessed the percentages of Tlymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes in the mononuclear cell preparations of euthyroid patients with minimal and severe Graves' ophthalmopathy. Patients with active Werner class 4-5 and class 6 ophthalmopathy had statistically significant elevations of suppressor/cytotoxic T8+ lymphocytes. During successful corticosteroid therapy, the number of T8+ lymphocytes returned to the normal range. Mirroring these results, the T4/T8 ratio was initially depressed in patients with class 4-5 ophthalmopathy and increased during therapy. Our previous observations noted a decreased number of rosette-forming T lymphocytes in patients with severe ophthalmopathy. In this study, however, there were normal percentages of T3+ and T11+ lymphocytes, suggesting that the T lymphocytes are present in peripheral blood but they cannot form rosettes. There was a slight reduction of the percentage of the T11+ (erythrocyte receptor) lymphocytes in the patients with class 4-5 ophthalmopathy; however, it was not statistically significant. No significant differences were evident in any of the other T-lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes, monocytes, or granulocytes studied. We conclude that Graves' ophthalmopathy is characterized by a surface membrane defect associated with increased percentages of suppressor/cytotoxic T8+ lymphocytes. Successful corticosteroid therapy reverses these findings.
Author Affiliations
From the Research Division (Drs Felberg, Sergott, and Amsel) and the Neuro-ophthalmology Service (Drs Sergott, Savino, and Schatz), Wills Eye Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, Lankenau Hospital (Dr Blizzard), Philadelphia.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Jan 3, 1985.
Deceased.
Reprint requests to Wills Eye Hospital, Ninth and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Dr Sergott).
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