T cell dependence of human IgE response: quantitative and functional studies.

Abstract

In 108 allergic and nonallergic patients T3, T4 and T8 cells were quantified. No significant differences were found when comparing healthy and allergic individuals. Functionally, the role of T8 suppressor and cytotoxic population was studied by removing this subset, comparing the IgE produced in vitro by peripheral blood lymphocytes of unfractionated and T8-depleted cultures. Results indicate a statistically significant increase of the in vitro IgE production when cultures from healthy people and 'normoproducer' allergics (in vitro spontaneous IgE production no more than 900 pg/ml/10(7) cells) were depleted of T8 cells. The same experiments in 'hyperproducer' allergics (in vitro spontaneous IgE production more than 900 pg/ml/10(7) cells) show no significant difference in the IgE production when T8 cells were depleted.