Effect of corticosteroids and aminophylline on active E-rosette formation in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

The reactivity of lymphocyte that form active E-rosettes to corticosteroids and aminophylline were examined in diabetic retinopathy patients with normal intraocular pressure. Aminophylline induced a significant activation of active E-rosette formation when compared with normal subjects. Similar results were observed when diabetics' lymphocytes were tested with corticosteroids. These drugs appear to induce an increase of quantity of T11-sheep erythrocyte receptors on T cells, suggesting abnormalities in diabetics' lymphocytes reactivity.