Regulatory T-cell function in primary humoral immunodeficiency states

J Clin Lab Immunol. 1989 Feb;28(2):55-60.

Abstract

The function of B cells and highly purified T-cell subpopulations was studied in patients with various primary humoral immunodeficiencies. In the presence of normal T4+ cells B cells of the patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) were not capable either for IgM or IgG synthesis, whereas B cells of the patient with hyper-IgM syndrome and three of eight patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) could produce normal amounts of IgM, but not IgG. All patients with XLA and the patient with hyper-IgM syndrome exhibited normal helper function by T4+ cells for both IgG and IgM synthesis of normal B cells. The function of CVI T4+ cells was variable. When the function of the patients' T8+ cells was tested against normal B cells, one CVI patient had overactive suppression capacity; in other patients the suppressor cell activity was normal. The findings indicate considerable heterogenicity in the function of lymphocyte subpopulations of the CVI patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agammaglobulinemia / genetics
  • Agammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulins