Subpopulations of circulating lymphocytes in adults with coeliac disease

Circulating lymphocytes were enumerated in 25 patients with coeliac disease and in 24 healthy donors by immunofluorescent staining using monoclonal antibodies for T cell surface phenotypic markers T11 (mature), T4 (helper) and T8 (suppressor) or polyvalent antisera for surface immunoglobulins (B cells). Proportions of peripheral T and B cells and percentages and ratio of T cell subsets in coeliac disease were not significantly different from those in controls. Individual ratios of helper to suppressor T cells did not correlate with disease activity or with keeping the diet.