Mitotic and Chromosomal Abnormalities Induced by Disrupted Lymphocytes Obtained from Patients with Autoimmune Disorders and Lymphoid Malignancies

Abstract

There is evidence indicating an association of autoimmune diseases with chromosomal abnormalities. For instance, the prevalence of chronic thyroiditis is reported to be higher in Down’s syndrome [1] and gonadal dysgenesis [2], and positive circulating thyroid autoantibodies have been found in high frequency in the family members of such patients [3]. Patients with a sex-linked congenital immune deficiency syndrome and relatives of these subjects are also highly prone to autoimmune disorders [4]. This suggested to us that both somatic and sex chromosomal abnormalities of congenital origin are in some way responsible for the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In fact, our previous study disclosed such various chromosomal inconsistencies as hyperploidy, dicentrics, minute chromosomes and some diversities in the shape of large-sized chromosomes in lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [5], Rhodes reported a possible sex-linkage in the serum level of IgM which is controlled by genes located on the X-chromosomes [6].