Lymphocyte subpopulations in megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B-12 deficiency

Scand J Haematol. 1986 Oct;37(4):316-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1986.tb02319.x.

Abstract

Lymphocyte subpopulations were measured in the blood of 17 patients with megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B-12 deficiency. 14 patients had pernicious anaemia and 3 others were gastrectomized. By using monoclonal antibodies recognizing T cell surface markers and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found a significant decrease in the number of circulating suppressor T cells and an increase in the ratio of helper to suppressor T lymphocytes in pernicious anaemia patients. This finding may be related to other immune abnormalities found in pernicious anaemia, e.g. the presence of multiple autoantibodies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia, Macrocytic / immunology*
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / etiology
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / immunology*
  • Anemia, Pernicious / etiology
  • Anemia, Pernicious / immunology
  • Female
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / complications
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / immunology
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / immunology*