title: Immune modulation of a T-suppressor cell lymphoma by thymic humoral factor, a thymic hormone.
abstract: Lymphoid cells obtained from a mediastinal mass and bone marrow as well as peripheral blood of a patient with poorly differentiated diffuse malignant lymphoma were found to have both E and complement receptors. Addition of the bone marrow lymphoblasts to normal human T-lymphocytes induced a suppression of normal T functional activity as measured by a local xenogeneic graft versus host reaction. Incubation of the same cells with thymic humoral factor (THF), a thymic hormone, reversed their functional activity from suppression to help. Control studies with normal T-suppressor lymphocytes also showed a reversal of function to helper activity upon incubation with THF. In studies of normal T-lymphocytes with monoclonal antibodies, incubation with THF induced no change in phenotype in either theophylline-sensitive (suppressor) cells or theophylline-resistant (helper) cells. The ability of THF to modulate helper and suppressor activities suggests that this or similar agents may provide a useful means of therapy for disorders of immunoregulation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects; D013806:Theophylline; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D013951:Thymus Hormones; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating; D013806:Theophylline