[Lymphocyte subpopulations in rheumatoid arthritis patients, their relatives and spouses].

A study of lymphocytic sub-populations of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their families and partners, is presented. The determination was carried out by means of monoclonal antibodies, analysing: T cells sub-population (CD3, CD4, CD8 and quotient CD4/CD8); B cells sub-population (B1); activated cells (OK1a); monocytes and NK cells (OKM1 and BMA 070). The results showed an increase of CD3 sub-population (T total lymphocytes) in patients with RA and their families. The meaning of these results is difficult to evaluate as lymphocyte sub-population is affected by several variables. The lack of modification of suppressor population, CD4/CD8 quotient and IKM1 cells in RA patients is probably due to the moderate activity of the disease.