Lymphocyte interleukin 2 production and responsiveness are altered in
patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome
O Ayanlar-Batuman, J Shevitz, UC Traub, S Murphy and D Sajewski
Immunoregulatory T and B cell functions in 15 patients with primary
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were studied by measuring the proliferative
and the stimulatory capacity of T and B cells, respectively, in autologous
(auto) and allogeneic (allo) mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). T cell
proliferation in the auto MLR was 25% of the control (P less than .02),
whereas proliferation in the allo MLR was normal. When control T cells were
stimulated by MDS B cells, their proliferative response was only 57% of the
control (P less than .01). The mechanism responsible for these
abnormalities was studied by determining the capacity of MDS and normal T
cells to produce interleukin 2 (IL 2) and to generate IL 2 receptors (IL
2R) following stimulation with control and MDS B cells. In the auto MLR of
MDS patients, only 3% +/- 2% of T cells developed IL 2R positivity, whereas
in control cultures 12% +/- 2% of T cells were positive, as determined by
immunofluorescence, using a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) directed against the
IL 2R, and FACS analysis. When MDS T cells were stimulated by control B
cells, IL 2R generation and the production of IL 2 were within normal
limits. In contrast, when control T cells were stimulated by MDS B cells or
control B cells, the MDS B cells induced production of only 26% of IL 2 as
compared with control B cells. In parallel experiments, IL 2R generation in
control T cells stimulated by either MDS or control B cells was similar. We
conclude that in the primary MDS, T and B cell interactions are impaired.
Although MDS T cells develop normal quantities of IL 2R and produce normal
amounts of IL 2 when stimulated by control B cells, they are markedly
impaired when stimulated by self B cells. Similarly, MDS B cells can induce
IL 2R generation in control T cells but not in MDS T cells. Myelodysplastic
B cells are also defective in inducing IL 2 production by normal T cells in
an allo MLR. These in vitro abnormalities strongly suggest that generation
of lymphocytes with immunoregulatory functions is impaired in patients with
MDS.
Volume 70,
Issue 2,
pp. 494-500,
08/01/1987
Copyright © 1987 by The American Society of Hematology
