Lymphocyte subpopulation profiles and mitogen kinetics in immunological deficiency testing

Abstract

The correlation between lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens and T4/T8 ratios was analyzed in a cross section of patients who either were in a high-risk group for HTLV-III infection or fulfilled clinical criteria for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The patient results showed that, correlated with decreased T4/T8 ratios, there was a decrease in mitogen responsiveness first to pokeweed mitogen (PWM), followed by concanavalin A (Con A) and then phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Parallel to this decrease there was a shift toward higher concentrations of mitogens needed for optimal proliferation. In comparison, depletion of T4+ lymphocytes from normal healthy controls also decreased lymphocyte proliferative responses to all three mitogens but shifted the amount of mitogen needed for optimal proliferation toward lower concentrations. The differences in mitogen-induced proliferation between patients and healthy controls suggest a model whereby there is a functional defect(s) in mitogen responsiveness of the remaining T4- lymphocyte population that can be overcome when higher concentrations of mitogen are used.

Lymphocyte Proliferation in AIDS-Related Complex/Walter-Reed 5 Patients: Response to Herpes Simplex Virus and Tuberculin Antigen and Mitogen during Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment

“…This observation was correlated with the progressive loss of T cells. Radvany et al [6] reported a reduced response to PWM, but not to PHA in a group of patients with a mean T4 cell count similar to that of the patients in our study. Only the patients with a severely diminished T4 cell count showed impaired response, to both mitogens [6].…”

“…Radvany et al [6] reported a reduced response to PWM, but not to PHA in a group of patients with a mean T4 cell count similar to that of the patients in our study. Only the patients with a severely diminished T4 cell count showed impaired response, to both mitogens [6]. The correlation with clinical symptoms showed a decrease of PWM response alone in HIVseropositive individuals, and a decrease of both PWM and PHA in clinically deteriorated HIV-infected patients [16].…”

“…As a parameter of lymphocyte function, the proliferative responses to mitogenic lectins [3- [5]. The decrease of mitogen responsiveness is paralleled by the loss of T4 cells [6]; the response to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was also shown to be predictive of the development of clinical symptoms in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS-related complex (ARC) [7]. AIDS patients are known to have an increasing number of infections as well as reactivation of latent persistent infections.…”

“…Among 19 seropositive controls, 7 individuals showed positive HSV lymphocyte response; but for both patient groups, there was no significant difference before and in the course of the treatment and observation period. We concluded that, in spite of some clinical improvement regarding fever and fatigue during IVIG treatment of ARC/WR5 patients, there is no influence on lymphocyte function, as measured by response to mitogens and antigens.[5], The decrease of mitogen responsiveness is paralleled by the loss of T4 cells [6]; the response to pokeweed mito gen (PWM) was also shown to be predictive of the devel opment of clinical symptoms in the acquired immunodef iciency syndrome or AIDS-related complex (ARC) [7].AIDS patients are known to have an increasing number of infections as well as reactivation of latent persistent infections. As one of the underlying mechanisms, the di minished ability of AIDS patients to develop specific hu moral immunity was postulated [3].…”

Immunological Marker Analysis of Mitogen‐Induced Proliferating Lymphocytes Using Brd U Incorporation or Screening of Metaphases

“…This sequential decrease in responsiveness to PWM, Con A, and PHA was also observed by Radvany ei al. [27], but nol by Alcoeer-Varela ci al. [1].…”