Quantitative and functional deficit of suppressor T cells in children with atopic eczema.
Helper (OKT4+) and suppressor (OKT8+) T cells were enumerated in 16 children with severe atopic eczema. Compared to controls (median 1 . 8) the ratio of OKT4+/OKT8+ cells in the patients was significantly higher (median 2 . 65, P less than 0 . 002). Functional suppressor activity in these patients was assessed by concanavalin A (Con A) activation and suppression of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) induced immunoglobulin production by plasma cells and Con A proliferation of T cells. In both assays a lack of suppression was shown (Con A/PWM, P less than 0 . 02; Con A/Con A, P less than 0 . 05). There was a significant inverse correlation between the helper/suppressor ratio and functional suppressor activity (P less than 0 . 01). These results indicate that a defect of T cell regulation does exist in atopic eczema and if it is of primary pathogenic importance, immunotherapy to restore the balance may prove useful.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D003208:Concanavalin A