Analysis of T lymphocyte subsets in all stages of diabetes.

Direct immunofluorescence analysis of circulating blood lymphocytes from patients with all stages of Type I diabetes revealed marked phenotypic abnormalities among all major T-lymphocyte subpopulations. The alterations were most pronounced in the prediabetics and comprised a stimulation of the T4+2H4+ and T8+2H4+ suppressor inducer subpopulations and corresponding depression of the T4+4B4+ helper inducers.