Defect in B cell function in HTLV III/LAV positive hemophilia patients
EJ Sjamsoedin-Visser, CJ Heijnen, BJ Zegers and JW Stoop
The capacity of the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to generate an
antibody response in vitro T cell-dependent antigen ovalbumin was studied
in 12 severe hemophilia patients who were otherwise in good health. PBL
from four of 12 patients were not capable of generating such a response
after stimulation in vitro, whereas all controls were normal. This negative
plaque-forming cell (PFC) response coincided with the presence of
antibodies directed toward human T-lymphotropic virus
III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). Only one patient with
antibodies against HTLV-III/LAV had a normal PFC response. The negative PFC
response was not due to a deficient T helper cell activity, nor to an
excessive T suppressor cell function. However, in the peripheral blood of
these four patients, the presence of activated B cells that are refractory
to antigen-specific T helper cell signals and secrete specific antibodies
spontaneously could be demonstrated. Most of the patients showed a
hyperimmunoglobulinemia. No correlation between the T4/T8 ratio and the
level of the PFC response was demonstrable. From the data obtained in these
investigations we raise the hypothesis that infection with HTLV-III/LAV in
hemophilia patients will lead to in vivo (pre)activation of B cells that
results in unresponsiveness or decreased response to antigen-specific
signals.
Volume 69,
Issue 5,
pp. 1388-1393,
05/01/1987
Copyright © 1987 by The American Society of Hematology
