Open AccessNatural killer cell activity, interferon‐gamma and antibodies to herpes viruses in patients with Behçet's disease
Author(s) -
HAMZAOUI K.,
AYED K.,
SLIM A.,
HAMZA M.,
TOURAINE J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1990.tb05122.x
Subject(s) - immunology , antibody , behcet's disease , cd8 , serology , interferon gamma , medicine , monoclonal antibody , virology , disease , biology , antigen , immune system
SUMMARY Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) titres in 20 patients with active Behçet's disease were examined and compared with those of 20 normal donors. Sera from Behçet's disease patients revealed an IFN‐γ increase but no correlation between IFN level and natural killer (NK) activity. The analysis of lymphocyte subsets by monoclonal antibodies registered an increase of CD8 + T subpopulation and cells co‐expressing CD8 + ‐Leu 7a + markers. Moreover, a high number of cells expressing CD25 + and HLA‐DR + phenotype has been noted in patients with active Behçet's disease. Serological analysis showed a high level of IgG antibodies to HSV‐1. The increase of IFN‐γ litre, the high number of activated T cells and the increasing level of IgG antibodies to HSV‐1 are important manifestations during the active stage of Behçet's disease. These findings are discussed in relation to the immunopathogenesis of Behçet's disease.