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

Abstract

We experienced a case of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) with Graves’ discase and examined immunological functions. The absolute numbers of the peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocyte subpopulation did not differ from those of the controls. She had normal number and ratio of Fc receptor-positive lymphocytes. Mitogenic response by peripheral blood lymphocytes were normal and number of pokeweed mitogen-induced immunoglobulin producing cells were also normal. Even though, cell-mediated cytotoxic activity and natural killer (NK) activity were normal, a defect in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) was elicited. Although ADCC and NK appear to be functionally distinct forms, the physical isolation of highly pure NK and K effector cells has proven extremely difficult. Thus, the relationship between NK and K effector cells is presently unclear. Some authors have speculated that the two effector cell populations are identical. However, the presence of this case strongly suggest that K cell is distinct from NK cell. In order to resolve the question whether loss of ADCC activity have an important role in development of DM and Graves’ disease or not, accumulation of cases and further studies are necessary. © 1983, The Japan Society for Clinical Immunology. All rights reserved.