Stimulation peripherer menschlicher Lymphozyten in vitro durch Zn2+ bei Patienten mit Lymphogranulomatose und chronischer lymphatischer Leukämie

Abstract

The response of peripheral lymphocytes to Zn²⁺in vitro (blast cell count and ³H-thymidine uptake) was found to be greatly diminished in patients with Hodgkin’s disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, when compared with normal volunteers. This seems to reflect a cellular defect of the lymphocytes. In Hodgkin’s disease the degree of stimulation was independent of the absolute lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood, but was higher in patients in remission after therapy than in those, with an active disease. The response of the lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia could be improved by culturing the cells at a higher density than is normally used.