Selective partial IgM deficiency: functional assessment of T and B lymphocytes in vitro.
Seven patients with selective IgM deficiency (SIgMD) were studied for cell surface immunoglobulin (SmIg), T-cell subpopulations, and immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis in vitro by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Serum IgM levels were less than 25 mg/dl, while IgA, IgG, and IgD were within normal levels. The patients had respiratory or urinary tract infections and two were diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). T/B-cell ratios in PBL were within normal ranges. Percentage ratios of B cells bearing SmIg were normal in five patients and decreased in two; however, normal values were seen after 7 days of culture in the presence of PWM. OKT4/OKT8 ratios decreased in five of seven patients, in whom two were due to a decrease in OKT4 and two to an increase in OKT8 cells. One showed a decrease in OKT4 and an increase in OKT8. Analysis of lymphocyte function for Ig synthesis in vitro, using a coculture of counterpart T and B cells from healthy individuals and patients with SIgMD, revealed that the increased function of IgM isospecific suppressor T cells (Ts) was responsible for the IgM deficiency in all seven patients.
Inoue
T
T
Okumura
Y
Y
Shirama
M
M
Ishibashi
H
H
Kashiwagi
S
S
Okubo
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D004406:Dysgammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000172:deficiency*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell