Inverse correlation between age related abnormalities of T‐cell immunity and circulating thymosin α1 levels in haemophilia A

Abstract

T cell immunity and serum levels of thymosin .alpha.1, .beta.2-microglobulin, circulating immune complexes, serum Ig levels, antibodies to hepatitis surface or core atigen, and to cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus were investigated in 51 patients with hemophilia A ranging in age from 2-52 yr. All patients had received commercial U.S. lyophilized concentrates of antihemophilic factor (AHF). The mean helper/cytotoxic-suppressor (OKT4/OKT8) ratio of 11 pre-adolescents (1.6 .+-. 0.4 SE) was not significantly different from that of age matched normal controls. In contrast, the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratios of 13 adolescent (1.2 .+-. 0.2 SE) and 23 adult (0.8 .+-. 0.1 SE) hemophiliacs were significantly reduced. Abnormalities of lymphocyte mitogenic responses were found only in adult hemophiliacs. Nine individuals treated with commercial U.S. prothrombin complex concentrates for antibodies directed against AHF or for hemophilia B had normal mean OKT4/OKT8 values. The mean serum thymosin .alpha.1 levels for each age category was similar to that of age matched controls; however, regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between elevated thymosin .alpha.1 levels and decreased OKT4/OKT8 ratios in adult hemophiliacs (P = 0.012). Although the mean serum level of .beta.2-microglobulin was significantly increased in the adult hemophiliac group, there was no correlation between OKT4/OKT8 ratios and any of the other serologic parameters studied.