A case of K cell deficiency with diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease

J Clin Lab Immunol. 1983 Dec;12(4):221-4.

Abstract

The following immunological functions were studied in a case of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with Graves' disease: (1) Lymphocyte subpopulations, (2) mitogen response, (3) immunoglobulin producing cells by the plaque forming cell assay, (4) cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and (5) natural killer activity were normal. The patient lacked antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. No conclusion could be drawn as to whether effector cells mediating natural (NK cell) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (K cell) are identical or different. However, the existence of such a case strongly suggests that the K cell is distinct from the NK cell. To resolve the question of whether or not a loss of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity activity plays an important role in the development of diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease, further studies on a large number of cases are necessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity*
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus / immunology*
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / complications
  • Graves Disease / genetics
  • Graves Disease / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / complications
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pedigree