Analysis of CD4-positive T cell subpopulation in sarcoidosis.

Double-labelling immunofluorescence analysis within the CD4⁺ cell subset was carried out in 27 bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and 11 peripheral blood samples of sarcoidosis patients with anti-TQI, anti-2H4 and anti-4B4 monoclonal antibodies. Helper/inducer CD4⁺TQI^- /4B4⁺ cells were strongly increased in the lung and slightly, but significantly, decreased in the blood of sarcoidosis patients with respect to normal controls. No differences were found in the number of both lung and blood CD4⁺2H4⁺ cells between sarcoidosis patients and controls. The findings are further evidence for a compartmentalization of T cell subsets in sarcoidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]