Circadian Variation Of Lymphocyte Subpopulations: A Study With Monoclonal Antibodies

• Published in: British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) Vol. 286; no. 6380; pp. 1773 - 1775
• Main Authors: Ritchie, Alastair W. S., Oswald, Ian, Micklem, H. Spedding, Boyd, Janice E., Elton, Robert A., Jazwinska, Elizabeth, James, Keith
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Association 04.06.1983; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies; Antibodies, Monoclonal; B lymphocytes; Blood; Bone marrow cells; Circadian Rhythm; Clinical Research; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Immune response; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Middle Aged; Monoclonal antibodies; Natural killer cells; Natural killer T cells; T lymphocytes
• ISSN: 0267-0623
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.286.6380.1773

Use of monoclonal antibodies to identify subpopulations of circulating lymphocytes in healthy adults showed pronounced circadian variations in total T cells, the two major T cell subsets, and HLA-DR⁺ lymphocytes. When the results for the T cell subsets were expressed as a ratio (helper:suppressor) no significant rhythmic variation was observed. Lymphocytes bearing a surface antigen identified by the HNK-1 antibody (a population containing the natural killer and antibody dependent killer activity) did not show significant rhythmic variation. There was an inverse relation between plasma cortisol concentration and numbers of T and B cells. These observations have therapeutic implications and should be considered in the course of immunological monitoring.