ABSTRACT
A 33-year-old female with cyclical neutropenia and a reciprocally cycling T8 (suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytosis was investigated. T8 lymphocytes ranged between 1.4 and 5.6 X 10(9)/l and a significant proportion (50-75%) were preactivated (1a+). Fc gamma receptors were detected in only a minority (7-10%). Functional studies on the lymphocytes indicated that despite their phenotype, little natural killer and reduced suppressor activities were present. Anti-granulocyte antibodies were not detectable in the serum. Production of colony stimulating activity (CSA) was assessed in the patient and control subjects' lymphocytes. Using a methylcellulose marrow culture system, the CSA production by the patient's lymphocytes was markedly increased compared with the control. Monoclonal antibody cytotoxic experiments confirmed that the T8 lymphocytes were responsible. As peaks of circulating T8 lymphocytes were synchronous with granulopoietic activity in the marrow, the above findings may represent a homeostatic mechanism which is attempting to compensate for an underlying stem cell defect.
Subject(s)
Agranulocytosis/complications , Hematopoiesis , Lymphocytosis/complications , Neutropenia/complications , Periodicity , T-Lymphocytes , Adult , Colony-Stimulating Factors/biosynthesis , Female , Granulocytes , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Lymphocytes/classification , Lymphocytosis/blood , Neutropenia/blood , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunologyABSTRACT
The basophil degranulation test (BDT) has failed to gain popular acceptance as a test of immediate-type hypersensitivity since its introduction in clinical medicine in 1961. Recent modification of this technique, however, seemed to have increased its reliability. We have studied a group of twenty-five hay-fever sufferers and a similar age- and sex-matched group of healthy controls to compare the sensitivity of a newly available commercial BDT kit (Baso-kit, Laboratoire des Stallergenes) with specific serum IgE levels and skin-prick tests to meadow-grass pollen. A quantitative correlation was found between the positive BDT (greater than 30% degranulation) and the skin tests, whereas only a qualitative relationship was obtained with specific IgE concentrations. The BDT also identified two subpopulations of responders and non-responders among a third group of hay-fever subjects who had previously been hyposensitized to mixed grass pollen. We conclude that the modified BDT provides a worthwhile addition to the in vitro testing of immediate-type hypersensitivity states.
