Graves' disease: in situ localization of lymphoid T cell subpopulations.

Abstract

An in situ analysis of immunological features in thyroids from 15 Graves' disease patients has been performed. This study included a search for immune complexes visualized near the follicle's basement membranes with fluorescent rabbit antisera to human IgG, IgA, IgM, C1q, C3 and C9. Cellular immunity was investigated on the humoral side by visualization of B cells and plasma cells. Two series of monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, 4 and 8, Leu 1, 2a and 3a) were used to label the infiltrating cells' membrane. These studies demonstrated the prevalence of T cells, a majority of them with OKT8/Leu 2a suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype. No correlation was found between this observation and peripheral blood T cell subsets analysis.