[Selected cellular immunity parameters in patients with Lesniowski-Crohn disease]

The study was aimed at investigating the expression of HLA-DR, CD4, CD8, CD56 and CD16 surface antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with Crohn's disease. The percentage of rosette-forming T-cells in theophylline test was assessed simultaneously. The experiment at group consisted of 18 patients (aged 16-66) of long standing Crohn's disease history, being in the remission period and not treated by steroid antiinflammatory drugs. The percentage of lymphocytes with HLA-DR, CD4, CD8, CD56 and CD16 surface antigens was examined by means of the monoclonal antibodies (DAKO), and the APAAP procedure. The immunological test included also an assessment of the number of T-cells forming active (ARFC) and total (TRFC) rosettes in the theophylline test. Significantly increased (p < 0.001) percentage of lymphocytes with HLA-DR surface antigens was observed in patients with Crohn's disease. The percentage of lymphocytes with CD4, CD8, CD56 and CD16 surface antigens did not differ significantly from the control group, although the tendency for increase in the percentage of lymphocytes with CD8 surface antigens was clearly marked. The ratio of lymphocytes with CD4 to CD8 surface antigens and the number of T-cells forming active and total rosettes were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with Crohn's disease. In 10 of 18 patients the number of T-cells forming active and total rosettes was lower than 500 cells in 1 mm3 peripheral blood. In addition particular notice should be given to the fact that no T-cells reaction to theophylline was obtained in patients' group. The results suggest significant cellular immunoreactivity disturbances which may be the result of the persisting intestinal mucosa's inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease being in the remission period. The studies of peripheral blood lymphocytes with HLA-DR surface antigens may have significance in Crohn's disease's clinical monitoring.