GAMMA-DELTA(+) T-CELLS IN WILSONS-DISEASE

Little is currently known about the role of gamma delta(+) T cells in disease pathogenesis. We have demonstrated elevated levels of gamma de lta(+) T cells in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of pati ents with Wilson's disease compared with other neurological diseases. The percentage of V delta 1+/gamma delta(+) T cells was between 20% an d 50% in all patient groups; gamma delta(+) T cells in blood correlate d with copper concentrations. The antigen reactivity of gamma delta(+) T cells and how the antigens relate to the gamma delta(+) T cells fou nd in WD remains unknown. It remains unclear whether there is a direct reason for the elevated gamma delta(+) T cells population found in WD . Immunohistochemistry of frozen autopsy material from brain and liver of WD patients could allow exact localization of gamma delta(+) T cel ls and heat shock proteins in future studies.