Abnormalities of regulatory T-cell subpopulations in patients with primary immunoglobulin deficiencies

Abstract

Lymphocyte subsets in 5 patients with X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia, in 13 with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia (CVH), and in 10 with selective IgA defect were studied with a panel of monoclonal antibodies of the OK series. Helper T lymphocytes, defined as OKT4 + cells, were reduced, and suppressor T cells, defined as OKT8 + cells, were increased in several patients. Moreover an inversion of the normal ratio between OKT4 + and T8 + cells was observed in 4 patients with CVH and in one with selective IgA defect. Such abnormalities may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.