Subpopulations of T cells (Tγ and Tμ) in patients with chronic liver disease

Abstract The present study has utilized cell surface markers for the Fc receptors of IgG and IgM to distinguish putative suppressor (Tγ) or helper (Tμ) T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood lymphocyte preparations from a group of patients with chronic liver disease of diverse etiology. Proportions and absolute numbers of Tγ and Tμ cells were compared to corresponding values in healthy subjects and correlations made with levels of serum immunoglobulins and the presence of circulating autoantibodies. A marked reduction in T cells was observed in patients with liver disease, the decrease primarily being in the Tμ subpopulation. No striking correlations emerged between proportions or numbers of these T-cell subpopulations and either serum immunoglobulin levels or circulating autoantibodies.