Increased peripheral T lymphocyte activation in patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure

To determine if soluble interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor measured in serum by an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) might be useful in managing patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Prospective, controlled observation. Tertiary care research institution. None. Twenty-four patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure comprised the study group. Forty-two healthy men and women comprised the normal reference group. We measured peripheral T lymphocyte human leukocyte antigen locus DR (HLA-DR) expression and IL-2 receptor expression using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. We measured soluble IL-2 receptor levels in serum using an ELISA. Consistent with previous findings, our patients had significantly higher HLA-DR expression on peripheral T lymphocytes (5.3 ± 0.46) as compared with controls (3.5 ± 0.34) (mean ± SEM, P < 0.01). Seven patients also had elevated IL-2 receptor expression on peripheral T lymphocytes (P < 0.05). However, soluble IL-2 receptor levels in the serum did not differ significantly from normals. Patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure have a modest increase in peripheral T lymphocyte activation measured by flow cytometry. This degree of activation does not result in increased soluble IL-2 receptor release measured by ELISA.