Changes of the blood lymphocyte subpopulations and their functions following 131I treatment for nodular goitre and 32P treatment for polycythemia vera.

SummaryThe blood lymphocyte population was examined in 34 patients who were treated with 131I for toxic or atoxic nodular goitre. One to three doses of 300–550 MBq of 131I were administered at 1-week intervals. Lymphocyte counts were found to be significantly reduced at both 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. This decrease was accompanied by a changed composition of the lymphocyte subpopulations. The frequency of lymphocytes expressing membrane receptors for C′3 (EAC-rosette forming cells) was significantly reduced at 1 and 6 weeks following 131I administration. At 6 weeks there was a small but statistically significant increase of the frequency of T cells as identified by Leu 1 monoclonal antibodies. This was essentially due to an increased proportion of helper/inducer T cells as identified by Leu 3 monoclonals. 131I treatment also decreased the capacity of lymphocytes to secrete immunoglobulins (Ig) when stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The greatest effect was observed for IgM. Secretion of IgG and I...