Active T rosettes, human autologous T rosettes, OKT8 and OKT4 cells, Con A-induced suppressive activity, and autoantibodies: Clinical correlations

Abstract

Correlations between various T-cell subsets: OKT4, OKT8, TE h (human autologous T rosettes), and TE a (active T rosettes) cells and the concanavalin A-induced suppressor function assessed on Con A proliferation have been analyzed in 46 patients with various secondary immunological disorders. The different T subsets and the suppressive activity were also compared in patients with and without autoantibodies. Significant positive correlations were found between T-cell markers TE a-OKT8 and TE h-OKT4. Significant inverse correlations were also found between Con A-induced suppressive activity- OKT4 OKT8 ratios, and TE a- OKT4 OKT8 ratios suggesting that the subpopulations identified by the active T rosettes are probably involved in T immunoregulatory mechanisms. There was no association between the Con A-induced suppressive function or the T markers TE a, OKT4, and OKT8, and the presence of autoantibodies. Only subjects with autoantibodies had a lower percentage of T lymphocytes forming autologous rosettes. These observations emphasize the fact that lack of correlation may exist between markers or function and immune status in some patients.