Determination of the T-cell subset producing gamma-interferon in tuberculous pleural effusion.
The percentage of cells of different T-cell subsets and their functions in tuberculous pleural effusion were investigated. The percentage of OKT4-positive cells was 65 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM, n = 8) and that of OKT8-positive cells was 19 +/- 3% (n = 8). Pleural T lymphocytes of patients with tuberculous pleurisy responded well to stimulation with purified protein derivative of tuberculin, and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was observed along with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production. When pleural T lymphocytes of patients with tuberculous pleurisy were treated with OKT4 monoclonal antibody and complement, a significant decrease in IFN-gamma production was observed in all eight patients (P less than 0.005), whereas no definite decrease in IFN-gamma production was found after treatment with OKT8 monoclonal antibody and complement. These results suggest that at least the OKT4+/OKT8- T-cell subset is responsible for the antigen-specific IFN-gamma production in pleural T lymphocytes of patients with tuberculous pleurisy.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D014373:Tuberculin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003165:Complement System Proteins