Depression of lymphocyte reactivity by serum from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract

We have investigated the presence of serum factors (serum inhibitory factor and rosette inhibitory factor) which inhibit the blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin and E-rosette function of normal lymphocytes in patients affected with dilated cardiomyopathy. We found them to be present in significantly higher levels with respect to a “control disease” group ( P < 0.05) and normal subjects ( P < 0.02). Furthermore, serum inhibitory factors were significantly correlated to the functional class of cardiac failure as evaluated according to the New York Heart Association functional classification ( P < 0.05). There was no correlation between serum factors and other immunological parameters investigated (serum IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 concentrations, alpha-2-macroglobulin levels). Serum inhibitory factors may affect lymphocyte subpopulations, accounting for a T-suppressor functional defect correlated with greater severity of the disease.