T lymphocyte subpopulations in progressive systemic sclerosis defined by monoclonal antibodies

Twenty two patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were studied by monoclonal antibodies to detect OKT4 and OKT8 positive cells. The absolute number of OKT4 and OKT8 cells was not altered as compared to control values. The ratio of T4/T8 cells slightly increased without statistical significance. The number of E-rosette forming T-cells was reduced in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. Six months later 11 patients were reinvestigated, and similar results were obtained for the T-cell subsets and the ratio of T4/T8 positive cells. Individual data showed marked variability in the two periods of investigation without however, any correlation to the clinical findings. The sclerodermic patients had a long disease duration and showed no immunoregulatory T-cell imbalance.