Cell-mediated immune reactions in three patients with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases in remission and abnormally high Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers.
Two patients with Hodgkin's disease in remission and one chronic lymphatic leukemia patient with extraordinarily high anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (viral capsid antigen) antibody titers (greater than 10,000) were selected to study a spectrum of cell-mediated immune responses, including natural killer, interferon-boosted killer, antibody-dependent lymphocytotoxicity, and T-cell-mediated reactions. The purpose was to compare these reactions in patients with immunosuppression and a high EBV load who can hold their EBV-carrying cells under control with the corresponding reactions in patients with EBV-carrying lymphoproliferative disease. In contrast to the latter group, the three patients of the present study showed a less profound and less general suppression of the immune responses. Multiple effector mechanisms probably safeguard against the proliferation of EBV-transformed B-cells. Clinically manifest EBV-carrying lymphoproliferative disease occurs only in very severe immunodeficiencies effecting multiple effectors.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral