[Immunoregulatory disorders and activation of the immune system in dilated cardiomyopathy]

The level of immunoregulatory lymphocytic subpopulations (CD3-, CD4-, CD8-cells, CD4/SD8 ratio, IaDr-positive cells, SD16-cells), lymphocyte natural cytotoxicity (NCT), the concentration of serum interferon (IF), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) and neopterin were investigated in 30 patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCMP). Immunoregulatory lymphocytic subpopulations were defined by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies to differentiating markers of BMA and OKT series. A decrease in SD4/SD8 ratio less than 1 was observed in 10 patients, an increase in SD4/SD8 ratio over 2.3 was observed in 5 patients. A significant rise of IaDr-positive cells, a decrease in NCT, an increase in the concentration of IF, beta 2-M and neopterin were observed. There was correlation of an increase in IF concentration, the number of IaDr-positive cells and an increase in the level of neopterin and beta 2-M. Signs of activation of the immune system were more frequently noted in patients with a decreased (less than 1) or increased CD4/CD8 ratio. The role of disorders of immunoregulation and activation of the immune system in DCMP pathogenesis was discussed.