Evaluation of T cell subsets in myasthenia gravis using anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies.

Clin Exp Immunol. 1981 July; 45(1): 1–8.

PMCID: PMC1537262

S Berrih, C Gaud, M A Bach, H Le Brigand, J P Binet, and J F Bach

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Abstract

Functional T cell subsets have been evaluated in the peripheral blood of patients with myasthenia gravis using monoclonal anti-T cell antibodies and a suppressor cell assay based on the suppression of the mixed-lymphocyte reaction by concanavalin A-activated lymphocytes. A significant decline of suppressor cells was found in a large proportion of patients, both by direct count using the anti-suppressor-cytotoxic T cell antibody (OKT8) and by the suppressor assay. Patients also showed an increase in immature T cells defined by their simultaneous reaction with the anti-helper cell (OKT4) and anti-suppressor cell (OKT8) antibody. Thymectomy tended to enhance the deficit in suppressor cells, and to induce the disappearance of double-labelled cells.

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