INCREASED NUMBER OF CIRCULATING GAMMA-DELTA TCR+ T-CELLS IN ACTIVE ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Objective: To determine the percentage and absolute numbers of gamma/delta T-cell receptor (TCR) positive T cells in patients with active and quiescent ulcerative colitis. Patients: The study included 55 patients with ulcerative colitis and 17 healthy controls. Methods: Lymphocyte subsets were determined using immunofluorescence microscopy following incubation with monoclonal antibodies to T total (CD5) and T gamma/delta cells (TCR-gamma/delta-1) Results: Increased levels of circulating gamma/delta TCR+ T cells were found in patients with active ulcerative colitis compared with patients in remission or normal controls; this increase was more profound in patients with pancolitis compared with those with rectosigmoiditis. Increased values returned to control levels on remission. Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a correlation between circulating gamma/delta TCR cell levels in ulcerative colitis patients and the activity and extent of the disease.