Heterogeneous mechanisms of imparied lymphocyte responses in non- Hodgkin's
lymphoma
RL Whisler, SP Balcerzak and JL Murray
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 18 untreated patients with
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were studied to characterize the cellular
mechanisms contributing to impaired in vitro lymphocyte responses after
stimulation by the mitogen conconavalin A (Con-A). In vitro reactivity was
quantitated by the 3H-thymidine incorporation in response to an optimal
dose of Con-A. All patients demonstrated impaired in vitro reactivities
compared to normal controls. These in vitro impairments were partially
reversible since patient's cells precultured in media alone for 3 days
demonstrated enhanced Con-A responses. In greater than half of the
patients, the hyporeactive PBMC suppressed the enhanced reactivities of
autologous precultured PBMC when assayed in cocultures. Suppressor activity
was detected mainly in those untreated patients presenting with either
constitutional symptoms or diffuse histology and in general was not marked
compared to the severity of impairments. Adherent monocytes were shown to
participate in the suppression of autologous lymphocyte reactivity but only
appeared partially responsible for the in vitro impairments. In those
patients lacking detectable suppressive activity, preculturing also
enhanced Con-A reactivities and was compatible with the presence of a
reversible, inhibitory mechanism differing from active suppression. Many
patients' hyporeactive PBMC, however, failed to demonstrate normal
responses after preculturing. This failure could not be directly attributed
to aberrant regulatory populations, but rather appeared to possibly
represent an additional intrinsic impairment of potentially reactive
populations.
Volume 57,
Issue 6,
pp. 1081-1087,
06/01/1981
Copyright © 1981 by The American Society of Hematology
