Enhanced T cell suppression is directed toward sensitive circulating B cells in multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma, a disorder typically accompanied by monoclonal immunoglobulin excess and hypogammaglobulinemia was evaluated to delineate the status of T cell regulation on malignant B cell proliferation. Intact T cells and T cell subsets previously noted by us to be suppressor (T gamma) and helper (T non-gamma) were isolated from 10 controls and 10 myeloma patients. Various concentrations of control and patient T cell subsets were mixed with control and patient B cells and stimulated with PWM. T cell effect on B cell proliferation as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation was then determined. Myeloma T gamma cells were more effective than control T gamma cells in suppressing control or myeloma B cell [3H]thymidine incorporation. Interestingly, myeloma B cells, when added to myeloma T gamma cells, were suppressed to a greater extent than were control B cells when mixed with a similar concentration of myeloma T gamma cells. These in vitro studies suggest a complexity of B and T cell abnormalities in multiple myeloma; first, the myeloma B cells are extremely sensitive to T gamma cell suppression, and second, myeloma T gamma cells have excessive suppressor capacity. It is yet unclear whether these results are associated with an immunoregulatory response to this malignancy or represent part of the basic disease process.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division; D002469:Cell Separation; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology*; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; D013936:Thymidine
D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D013936:Thymidine