T lymphocyte subset abnormalities in peripheral blood from patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome

• T lymphocytes are probably of pathogenic importance in many autoimmune diseases. Recently, deviations of circulating T-helper (CD4+) subpopulations have been noticed. Blood samples from 12 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were studied with flow cytometry during their disease to define circulating T cell populations. The proportion of T-helper cells (CD4+) was decreased (mean value 41±15%, P = 0.01) and the proportion of T cytotoxic/suppressor cells (CD8+) was increased (35±18%, P = 0.0006) as compared to the control group of healthy blood donors (47±8% and 26±7% respectively). The CD4+ population is divided into the helper/inducer (CD4+ CD29+) and suppressor/inducer (CD4+ CD45RA+) subsets. which normally are equally distributed (mean values in our control group were 45±15% and 44±15%, respectively). In patients with GBS, the helper/inducer (CD4+ CD29+) subset was increased (54±10%, P = 0.05) and the suppressor/inducer (CD4+ CD45RA+) subset was decreased (31±9, P = 0.005) compared to the controls. The proportion of activated HLA-DR-expressing T cells was increased (7±8%, P = 0.005) as compared to control (3±3%). The total proportions of T cells (CD2+), B cells (CD19+) and natural killer (NK) cells (CD56+) were similar in pateints and controls. The CD4+ and CD8+ populations, as well as the activated HLA-DR+ T cells, normalized during the disease course. The derivations within the CD4+ population also tended to normalize, but even at follow up after 6–33 (mean 23) months, some abnormalities remained. In conclusion, we confirm previous reports of T cell activation in peripheral blood from patients with GBS. A new finding is the derivation of T helper subpopulations with an increased helper/inducer (CD4+ CD29+) subset and a decreased suppressor/inducer (CD4+ CD45RA+) subset, which indicates a possible autoimmune character of GBS.

Nyckelord

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)