Background IgG 4-related disease (IgG 4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibrotic disorder that
has been linked to CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4+ CTLs). The effector phenotype of
CD4+ CTLs and the relevance of both CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ CTLs) and
apoptotic cell death remain undefined in IgG 4-RD. Objective We sought to define CD4+
CTL heterogeneity, characterize the CD8+ CTL response in the blood and in lesions, and
determine whether enhanced apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of IgG 4-RD …