Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by an impairment of specific antibody production and a decrease in all or selected Ig isotypes. Abnormalities at the level of the B cells, T cells, and antigen-presenting cells have been described. In the present study, we have focused our attention on T-cell activation in CVID. T cells from 15 of 24 patients failed to respond to recall antigens (eg, tetanus toxoid, Escherichia coli). Of these 15 patients, 11 were studied in detail and showed significantly decreased T-cell proliferative responses and/or decreased interleukin-2 and interferon- gamma production on T-cell receptor-mediated stimulation with recall antigens and superantigens (staphylococcal enterotoxins [SE]); however, T-cell response to mitogens (anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, phytohemagglutinin) was normal. The defect in interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma release on tetanus toxoid stimulation could also be documented in purified CD4 T cells of the patients and was present in patients with high and normal CD8 counts alike. Furthermore, patients' T cells failed to mount a significant elevation in free intracellular calcium (Ca++ flux) in response to superantigen, whereas the response to phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin, bypassing receptor-mediated signaling, was unimpaired. These results indicate a defect in the early phase of T-cell activation after triggering of the T-cell receptor in a significant subgroup of CVID patients.
In this study we investigated different aspects of monocyte functions following interaction of monocytes (Mo) with therapeutic concentrations of factor VIII (F VIII) concentrate. A short (one-hour) treatment of normal Mo with F VIII concentrates led to a significant (P less than 0.001) down modulation of Fc receptors expressed in the Mo plasma membrane. This down modulation was accompanied by a decrease of Mo effector functions that was expressed by a reduced capacity of F VIII- treated Mo to release O2 radicals (40% of controls) and to kill bacteria (% killing: control Mo, 65%; F VIII-treated Mo, 24% to 51%). Further studies showed that the modulating activity was due to a contaminant present in F VIII concentrates (immune complexes or IgG aggregates). Fractionation using molecular sieving revealed that the modulatory activity was confined to a high-molecular range fraction (Mr greater than 1,270,000 daltons), while the fraction containing monomeric IgG had no effect. Further fractionation by affinity chromatography on protein A-Sepharose separated the coagulation activity (effluent) from the Mo function-modulating activity (eluate). We conclude that treatment with F VIII concentrates might contribute to an immunocompromised state in some hemophiliacs and facilitate opportunistic infections in these patients.
The primary immune response to a viral antigen (tick-borne encephalitis, TBE) has been determined in haemophiliacs. Twelve HIV-negative and four clinically asymptomatic, HIV-positive haemophiliacs as well as 16 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Antibody responses after TBE vaccination were comparable in HIV-negative haemophiliacs and controls; however, antibody titres in HIV-infected haemophiliacs were significantly lower after completion of the three-dose vaccination schedule (geometric mean reciprocal antibody titres (SEM): controls, 193 (1.37), HIV-positive haemophiliacs, 13 (2.18), P < 0.005). TBE vaccination failed to induce a T cell proliferative response in the HIV-positive haemophiliacs. While in HIV-negative patients the antigen-specific lymphoproliferative responses after primary and one booster vaccination were comparable to those of the controls, cellular responses were decreased in HIV-negative haemophiliacs following a second booster immunization 19 months after primary immunization (3H-thymidine incorporation, delta dpm, mean +/- SEM: controls, 34662 +/- 7129, HIV-negative haemophiliacs, 14339 +/- 7420, P < 0.005). As the protective mechanisms for TBE infection are not yet completely understood, further work will be necessary to determine whether the decreased capacity to mount a sufficient long-term cellular memory response in HIV-negative haemophiliacs might be important for the protective effect of TBE vaccination in this population.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.