T-lymphocyte subsets in the aqueous humor and peripheral blood of patients with acute untreated uveitis.

We evaluated T-lymphocyte subsets in 18 patients with active untreated uveitis and in 20 controls by monoclonal OKT (Ortho-Kung-T cell) antibodies. Both OKT4- and OKT8-positive cells were detected in the aqueous humor of patients with uveitis. The percentage of OKT4-positive cells (21.1 +/- 7.4) was larger than that of OKT8-positive cells (15.2 +/- 5.3) and the OKT4-OKT8 ratio was 1.40 +/- 0.3. A comparison of aqueous humor and peripheral blood cells from patients with uveitis showed diminished frequencies of OKT4- and OKT8-positive cells. The OKT4-OKT8 ratios were not significantly different. A comparison of peripheral blood cells from patients with uveitis and from controls showed that patients with uveitis had lower OKT4-OKT8 ratios. Lower percentages of OKT4-positive cells were also observed in the peripheral blood cells of patients with uveitis.