Studies on suppressor T lymphocyte function in Graves’ disease by³H-thymidine interpolation

Abstract

The suppressor T lymphocyte (T_S) function in Graves’ disease (GD) during hyperthyroid and euthyroid state was studied by using the preincubation method. The T_S function was estimated by the suppressor index. The results showed: (1) The T_S with short life span were functionally defective in GD; (2) The antithyroid drugs could restore their function, but action was relatively slow; (3) The GD patients with longer period of euthyroid state clinically showed a better prospect of the T_S function than those with a shorter period and the elderly GD patients. Therefore, it is advisable to continue the antithyroid treatment with maintenance dose of drugs for a relatively long period after reconvalescence.

Keywords

suppressor T lymphocyte / Graves’ disease / ³H-thymidine

References

[1] AokiN, et al.. Studies on suppressor cell function in thyroid diseases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1979, 48: 803-10

[2] EagnascoM, et al.. T lymphocyte subpopulations in Graves’ disease: relationship with clinical conditions. Acta Endocrinol, 1983, 102: 213-9

[3] SridamaV, et al.. Decreased suppressor T-lymphocytes in autoimmune thyroid diseases detected by monoclonal antibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1982, 54: 316-9

[4] BalázsC, et al.. Decrease of concanavalin-A activated and short lived suppressor T cells function in thyrotoxicosis. Biomedicine, 1979, 30: 143-7

[5] GoldrathN, et al.. Anti-thyroid drugs and lymphocyte function. I. The in vivo effect on blastogenesis and suppressor cell activity in Graves’ disease. Clin Exp Immunol, 1982, 50: 62-9

[6] HallengrenB, et al.. Suppressor T lymphocyte function in Graves’ disease. Acta Endocrinol, 1982, 101: 354-8

[7] MisakiT, et al.. Altered balance of immunoregulatory T lymphocyte subsets in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Acta Endocrinol, 1984, 105: 200-4