The peripheral blood compartment in patients with Graves' disease: activated T lymphocytes and increased transitional and pre-naive mature B lymphocytes

Abstract

SummaryGraves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease that involves aberrant B and T lymphocyte responses. Detailed knowledge about lymphocyte subpopulation composition will therefore enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of GD and might support the development of new immunomodulatory treatment approaches. The aim of this study was to gain detailed insight into the composition of the peripheral blood lymphocyte compartment in GD before and during anti-thyroid drug therapy. Major B and T lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from newly diagnosed GD patients (n = 5), GD patients treated with anti-thyroid drugs (n = 4), patients with recurrent GD (n = 7) and healthy controls (HC; n = 10). In GD patients, numbers of activated T lymphocytes [human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) + and CD25 + ] were increased. The B lymphocyte compartment in GD was characterized by significantly higher numbers of transitional (CD38 high CD27 − , P < 0·03) and pre-naive mature (CD38 low CD27− IgD + CD5 + , P < 0·04) B lymphocytes, while memory populations were slightly decreased. The increased numbers of CD5 + , transitional and pre-naive mature B lymphocytes correlated positively with fT4 plasma levels. GD is associated with increased numbers of activated T lymphocytes and transitional and pre-naive mature CD5 + B lymphocytes within the peripheral blood. The increase in CD5 + B lymphocytes was due mainly to an increase in transitional and pre-naive mature B lymphocytes. Increased fT4 plasma levels might be associated with this increase in transitional and pre-naive mature CD5 + B lymphocytes.

Increased concentration of T‐cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC) in peripheral blood in Graves' disease

“…Recently, van der Weerd et al described a trend towards increased numbers of naive T-lymphocytes and RTE in patients with GD receiving antithyroid drug therapy. 18 Consistent with this in our cohort, delta C t was lower among those treated with thyreostatic medication than those treated with radioiodine/ surgery. Whereas this weak effect (P = 0Á6) cannot explain pronounced differences between GD and controls found by us, it is intriguing and deserves further studies.…”

Evaluation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and hematologic parameters in patients with Graves’ disease

“…When we compared the group1 and 2, leukocyte and neutrophil counts were similar, and lymphocyte counts were signifi cantly higher in Graves' patients compared to the control group. Van der Weerd K and et al reported that with fl ow cytometry method analysis, T and B lymphocyte counts were signifi cantly higher in Graves' disease than in healthy control group and in the same study there was a positive correlation between the levels of ft4 and B lymphocytes (14). Although antithyroid drugs are known to cause neutropenia as a side effect (15), Peng Y and et al, reported that compared with untreated Graves' patients, neutrophil counts increase in Graves patients who are euthyroid with treatment (16).…”

Effects of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection on CD19+ B Lymphocytes in Patients with Immunorelated Pancytopenia

“…CD5 lymphocytes are considered the principal cells that produce autoantibodies against IgM. They can form an authoritative cell bank that is linked to the development of autoimmune diseases [31][32][33]. Our results revealed that CD19+CD5+, CD19+CD80+, and CD19+CD86+ B cell abundances were significantly higher in patients with anti-EBVCA IgM positivity than in patients with anti-EBVCA IgM negativity.…”