HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype affects lymphocyte blood levels

The number of lymphocytes in the blood is constant, pointing to an effective control of circulating lymphocyte values. The mechanisms of this regulation are uncertain, although it is likely that the number of blood lymphocytes is conditioned by hormones, homing factors and cytokines whose production is at least partly restrained by genetic factors. Particularly genetic factors linked to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) appear to be involved. In human beings a decreased number of blood lymphocytes has been described in healthy subjects carrying the Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA) haplotype HLA-B8,DR3. In the present study, to inquire into the mechanisms of this lymphocyte decreased numb…