T cell early activation antigens expressed by peripheral lymphocytes in Crohn's disease.

We studied the expression of early activation antigens (4F2, transferrin receptor, IL-2 receptor) on peripheral lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with Crohn's Disease. We have found that the proportion of PBL expressing these antigens was significantly higher in patients than in controls. The expression of the 4F2 antigen was more pronounced than that of other activation antigens directly involved in promoting cell growth (e.g. transferrin receptor, IL-2 receptor). These results indicate that CD patients have an increased number of T cells in a very early phase of activation.