Imbalances in T cell subpopulations in lepromatous leprosy.
Circulating T cells, T helper, and T suppressor cells were investigated in 24 lepromatous patients, using murine hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies OKT 3, OKT 4, and OKT 8. Six bacillary lepromatous patients without recent eNL were studied; in this group, suppressor cells were increased and helper cells diminished, resulting in a decrease in the helper/suppressor (H/S) ratio. Nine bacteriologically negative lepromatous patients without recent ENL were studied. T cell subsets distribution was normal, although some T cell functions were affected. It was further shown that in non-ENL patients, the diminution of the H/S ratio is correlated with the Bacteriologic Index (BI). Although bacillary, ENL patients exhibit a completely different T cell pattern than non-reactional patients. In these patients, there was a significant diminution of circulating suppressor cells, and an increase in T cell functions. These abnormalities were transient. Our results confirm the importance of suppressor cells in lepromatous leprosy, and suggest that imbalance between helper and suppressor cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of ENL reactions.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004893:Erythema Nodosum / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000032:analysis*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000032:analysis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal