A general strategy for the use of allogeneic lymphocyte infusions in the treatment of disorders characterized by impaired helper or suppressor T cell function: autoimmune diseases and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Allogeneic lymphocytes can exert very potent non-specific immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Repeated infusions of allogeneic suppressor or helper populations may find use in the treatment of diseases characterized by impaired suppressor function (such as many autoimmune diseases) or impaired helper function (such as AIDS), respectively. Nutritional adjuvants for use with allogeneic suppressor therapy may include essential fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E; the latter two nutrients as well as vitamin C and beta carotene may have value as adjuvants for allogeneic helper therapy. In a small preliminary trial, long-lasting normalization of rheumatoid factor titers and clinical symptoms has been achieved in 5 of 7 cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis treated with allogeneic lymphocyte infusions, selenium, and vitamin E. These results indicate that allogeneic lymphocyte infusions accompanied by antioxidant support can promote the induction of new appropriate suppressor activity in the host. This phenomenon of allogeneic suppressor induction may be more clinically important than direct allosuppression of host B cells under the conditions of this study, and may find application in the treatment of a number of autoimmune disorders.
McCarty
M F
MF
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous