Suppressor T cells role in the unresponsiveness to Candida albicans in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.
We investigated the immune function of two members of the same family, mother and son, affected by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). In these cases CMC was not associated with hypofunction of endocrine organs, while the son showed histological feature of chronic active hepatitis. We observed a decrease in OKT4/OKT8 ratio and an increased suppressor cell function in both patients. Elimination of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells by lysis of these cells with OKT8 plus complement markedly improved lymphocyte proliferative responses to Candida antigens but not to unrelated antigens. These data suggest that specific suppression is probably responsible for failure of Candida albicans clearance in CMC patients.
Barnaba
V
V
Zaccari
C
C
Levrero
M
M
Balsano
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D002178:Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000502:physiology*
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents