Phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes in adult coeliac disease.

In coeliac disease immunological abnormalities are not confined to the small bowel and it has been suggested that changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes may predispose to autoimmune or malignant complications. Using dual-colour immunofluorescence with labelled monoclonal antibodies, multiparameter flow cytometry was used to analyse peripheral blood lymphocytes in 32 untreated coeliacs, 29 treated coeliacs and 20 healthy volunteers. When the absolute numbers were considered, a decrease of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes was found in untreated coeliacs compared with treated coeliacs and healthy volunteers.

The relationship between serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor and radiological evolution in psoriatic arthritis patients treated with cyclosporin-A.

Aims of the study to evaluate the radiologically detected progression of joint damage in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PA) treated with cyclosporin-A (CsA) and to look for clinical and/or immunological parameters that might predict outcome. Twenty-four out-patients suffering from active PA entered a 2-year open prospective study on low-dose CsA (starting dose 3 mg/kg/day). Fifteen patients completed the study.

Impaired lymphocyte proliferation in human acute pancreatitis.

Purpose: We evaluated the proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin P (PHA P), concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) during the course of acute pancreatitis.

Patients And Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were studied within 48 h of the onset of pain, and 16 of them were also studied 1 month after complete recovery. According to the Atlanta criteria, 21 patients had severe disease and 39 had mild disease.

CD8 lymphocyte subsets in active polymyalgia rheumatica: comparison with elderly-onset and adult rheumatoid arthritis and influence of prednisone therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate CD8 lymphocyte subsets in active polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), to determine whether low percentages of CD8+ cells could be used to differentiate PMR from elderly-onset (EORA) and adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate the effects of prednisone on CD8 lymphocyte subsets. A significant reduction of percentages and absolute numbers of CD8bright+ cells was observed in patients with active PMR. Both CD8bright+, CD57- and CD8bright+, CD57+ subsets were significantly reduced.

Role of peripheral CD8 lymphocytes and soluble IL-2 receptor in predicting the duration of corticosteroid treatment in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To determine if the presence of low percentages of CD8 positive cells or high levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) define a subgroup of patients with more severe polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA).

Methods: 38 PMR/GCA patients were followed up prospectively. Serum levels of sIL-2R and peripheral blood CD8 lymphocytes were measured before the start of corticosteroid treatment, after six months of treatment and at the last visit.