Numerical and functional deficiency of suppressor T cells precedes development of atopic eczema.
Immunoregulatory T cells were studied quantitatively and functionally at age 1-2 months in 30 symptom-free infants with family history of atopic disease and in 30 infants with no such history. The infants were followed up for 24-37 months (mean 28.2 months) to see whether clinical atopic disease was expressed. In infants in whom atopic eczema subsequently developed, numbers of T8-positive cells were reduced, the T4/T8 ratio was raised, and functional suppressor activity was lower than normal. These findings indicate that a defect of T-cell regulation precedes clinical atopic disease and is of primary pathogenetic importance.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E