Thymosin-inducible 'null' cells in atopic eczema

Abstract

Children (30) with atopic eczema were compared with an equal number of age-matched healthy children. The mean peripheral blood T [thymus-derived] lymphocyte level was lower in the eczema group (mean 1197/mm2 as against 1702/mm3; P = 0.003). This difference was abolished in vitro by thymosin, a thymic hormone extract. Positive correlations were found between eczema severity and eosinophilia and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, but not T lymphopenia. Thymosin-inducible T cell (Ti) counts correlated with plasma Ig[immunoglobulin]-E levels, suggesting that these Ti cells may be immature suppressor T cells. If this T cell deficiency represents inadequate suppression of IgE responses, then a trial of treatment with thymosin is warranted.