Adherent Suppressor Cells in Atopic Disease

Abstract

The function of adherent mononuclear cells in atopic children was studied using two different suppressor cell systems. Results obtained with an adherent cell suppressor system suggested a disturbed function of adherent cells in atopy. Thus, in 12 out of 54 atopic children but in none of 23 controls, the suppressor test was negative. However, in patients who had detectable suppressor activity the magnitude of suppression was about equal to that of the controls. A prostaglandin-related suppressor system failed to detect any differences between atopic and nonatopic individuals. After partial removal of adherent cells, the cellular responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin was generally increased, whereas the responsiveness to PMA was decreased. Using the PMA test a measure of the enhancing effect of adherent cells on mitogen responsiveness could thus be obtained. This enhancing effect was found to be significantly lower in atopic than in nonatopic children. Valued together the results suggest a defective function of adherent cells, presumably monocytes/macrophages, in some patients with atopic disease. Irrespective of whether this defect is primary or secondary to a T cell deficiency or to manifestations of disease it may have implications for the function of cell-mediated immunity in atopy.