Studies of thymus-derived and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes in renal transplant patients.
Serial studies of levels and responsiveness of T and B lymphocytes were performed in human renal allograft recipients. Patients given prednisolone-azathioprine immunosuppression had only mild falls in levels and responsiveness of T cells. Patients given a quality controlled ATG preparation had marked and relatively selective falls in levels of T cells associated with a marked fall in T cell responsiveness as measured by PHA and Con-A responsiveness. In vivo correlates of this severe T cell deficiency suggest that T lymphocytes are central to acute allograft rejection and that acute severe T cell deficiency is not associated with risk of infectious complications above and beyond those seen in patients suppressed with prednisone-azathioprine alone. These studies suggest that ATG, produced under quality control conditions and having rather selective anti-T cell activity, is a useful adjunctive immunosuppressive agent for human renal transplantation.
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000187:drug effects; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D037102:Lectins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone