title: Suppressor function of T lymphocytes in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as assessed by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture.
abstract: Nine patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were studied for suppressor cell activity utilizing an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture technique. The patients studied had opportunistic infections and a high incidence of intravenous drug abuse. T lymphocytes of the AIDS patients showed a consistently greater ability to suppress immunoglobulin M (IgM) synthesis by pokeweed mitogen stimulated allogeneic lymphocytes compared to controls (p less than 0.03). In 4 patients, T helper function was studied and compared to controls. Diminished helper cell function was consistently observed (p less than 0.01). All AIDS patients had leu 3a/leu 2a ratios of less than 0.9. However, a statistical correlation between the helper/suppressor cell ratio and suppressor activity was not demonstrated. Functional tests of T lymphocytes may be of value in assessing immunocompetence in patients with altered lymphocyte subset ratios.
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tanz
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Denny
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M