Abstract
We performed quantitative immunohistochemical studies of sural nerve biopsy specimens from 20 patients to determine whether endoneurial and epineurial lymphocytic infiltration occurs in diabetic nerves. The diabetic nerves contained a mean of 129 CD3+ cells per tissue section compared to 19 cells in patients with chronic neuropathy matched for the histologic severity of disease, and 0-5 cells in normal control nerves. The T-cell infiltrates in the diabetic nerves were predominantly of the CD8+ cell type. Activated endoneurial lymphocytes expressed immunoreactive cytokines and major histocompatibility class II antigens. Microvasculitis was found in 12 (60%) patients. Infiltrative T cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy through a variety of effector mechanisms.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Biopsy
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CD3 Complex / analysis
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
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Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / physiopathology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / immunology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
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Diabetic Neuropathies / immunology
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Diabetic Neuropathies / pathology*
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Humans
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Immunoglobulins / analysis
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Immunohistochemistry / methods
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Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Lymphocytes / pathology
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Macrophages / immunology
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Macrophages / pathology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Nerve Fibers / pathology
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Nerve Fibers / ultrastructure
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Sural Nerve / immunology
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Sural Nerve / pathology*
Substances
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CD3 Complex
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Immunoglobulins