title: Induction of suppressor T cells in asthmatic children by theophylline treatment.
abstract: The absolute T-cell numbers and function, and the T-suppressor-cell subset were tested in eleven children with extrinsic asthma prior to and 1 month after theophylline treatment. Low mean T-suppressor-cell number and function was found in the asthmatic children, which returned to normal levels and function after 1 month of theophylline treatment. A normal mean T-cell number was found in this group of children prior to, and 1 month after, theophylline treatment. An obvious correlation between the clinical severity of the asthma and the number of T suppressor cells was found. It is suggested that theophylline most probably activated the T suppressor cells in the asthmatic children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline