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Biomedical subjects

K B Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to K B Sharma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Tissue distribution of lymphocytes in rheumatic heart valves as defined by monoclonal anti-T cell antibodies.

Fresh cardiac valvular tissues and atrial appendages removed from 106 Indian patients with rheumatic heart disease at the time of corrective cardiac surgery were examined to determine the characteristics of valvular interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates using conventional histologic staining along with indirect immunofluorescent techniques. Precise identification of the phenotypic profiles of inflammatory mononuclear cells was attempted using anti-IgG, anti-Ia, and monoclonal mouse hybridoma reagents identifying T cells (OKT3) as well as T cell subsets (OKT4 helper/inducer and OKT8 suppressor/cytotoxic cells). A similar group of 21 patients undergoing cardiac valvular resection in Albuquerque was studied. The mean age of Indian patients providing valve tissues was 27.7, whereas in those in Albuquerque, it was 52 years. Twenty-five percent of rheumatic heart valves in Indian patients showed significant interstitial lymphoid infiltrates, and one third of the rheumatic valves from patients in Albuquerque showed similar mononuclear cell collections. Lymphoid infiltrates contained a predominance of T cells (70 to 80 percent) and only occasional B cells. Most of the T cells were OKT4-positive, with only a minor representation of suppressor/cytotoxic OKT8-positive T cells. In many instances, OKT4-positive helper T cell collections were closely juxtaposed to fibroblasts and collagen fibrils. These findings suggest that the chronic rheumatic scarring process may involve helper/inducer T cells as an ancillary factor in the indolent contracture and fibrosis of deformed cardiac valvular structures. Attempts to demonstrate residual streptococcal antigens by indirect immunofluorescence using a wide panel of heterologous rabbit F(ab')2 reagents with specificity for group A streptococcal membranes, cell wall mucopeptide, or group A carbohydrate gave negative results.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets during acute rheumatic fever.

Relative proportions and numbers of helper [OKT4(+)] and suppressor [OKT8(+)] peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined in 32 young patients during the acute phase of rheumatic fever. No significant decrease in percentage T cells during acute rheumatic fever was noted in comparison to normal children controls from the same population. A decrease in absolute numbers of OKT4(+) T cells was also noted in acute rheumatic subjects not receiving corticosteroids (P less than 0.05). In addition, a significant decrease was documented in both proportions and total numbers of OKT8(+) putative suppressor cells during acute rheumatic attacks. C-reactive protein binding to T-lymphocyte subsets showed no preferential reactivity in vivo for suppressor or helper T cells. Antigen-reactive T lymphocytes identified with the T29 mouse hybridoma reagent showed similar proportions and numbers in rheumatic children as were noted in controls. The present data indicate profound alterations in both helper- and suppressor-cell types in the peripheral blood profile of children with acute rheumatic fever.

Acute Disease↗