Absence of natural killer cells in a child with pure red blood cell aplasia.
A 16-year old boy was known to suffer from red blood cell (RBC) aplasia from the age of 4 years. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from the patient were found to lack natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity, even after stimulation with alpha-interferon. His PBL also lacked Leu-7+ and Leu-11+ cells, although his granulocytes showed normal expression of the Leu-11 marker. The lack of NK cells did not seem to result from the various immunosuppressive treatments he received, since the NK deficiency was noted 2 years after he stopped receiving such treatment. The possibility is discussed that lack of NK cells may lead to the development of RBS aplasia if NK cells play a role in promoting the production of RBC.
Abrahamov
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Schlesinger
M
M
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000954:Antigens, Surface