T lymphocyte subpopulations in alopecia areata and psoriasis: identification with monoclonal antibodies and Fc receptors.

A comparison of T lymphocyte subpopulations as defined by Fc receptors and monoclonal antibodies was investigated in 9 patients with alopecia areata and alopecia universalis (AA and AU) and in 6 patients with psoriasis. It was shown that there was higher proportion of T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG (Tg cells) in patients with alopecia (AA and AU) and psoriasis. The proportions of total T lymphocytes (Tt), T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgM, T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu2A), T helper/inducer (Leu3A) as defined by monoclonal antibodies were within normal range as compared to the normal donors. The possible reason of the dissociation between Tg and T suppressor (Leu2A) cells could be that these cells belong to different subpopulations.