Prednisone and plasma exchange improve suppressor cell function in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
We have recently demonstrated that ConA-induced suppressor cell function is defective in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). To assess whether this defect plays a role in disease activity and its reversal is important in recovery, we studied modifications of ConA-induced suppressor cell function induced by prednisone and plasma exchange in 20 patients with CIDP. We found a significant increase towards normal of ConA-induced suppressor cell function after treatment in concurrence with clinical improvement. Induction of suppression, presumably through favorable modifications of the cytokine network or other humoral mediators, might be one, among others, of the mechanisms through which prednisone and plasma exchange are effective in CIDP.
De Luca
G
G
Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Oncology and Neuroscience, University of Chieti, Policlinico Clinicizzato Colle Dell'Ara, Italy.
Lugaresi
A
A
Iarlori
C
C
Marzoli
F
F
Di Iorio
A
A
Gambi
D
D
Uncini
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D003208:Concanavalin A; D011241:Prednisone