Lymphocyte subpopulations in Graves' ophthalmopathy
N. T. Felberg, R. C. Sergott, P. J. Savino, J. J. Blizzard, N. J. Schatz and J. Amsel
We assessed the percentages of T-lymphocyte 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.
