ROLE OF ADENOSINE-DEAMINASE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PRECURSOR T-CELL MATURATION

Abstract

The role of adenosine deaminase [AD] in the initial stages of precursor T cell differentiation was examined in patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency [ADD]. Incubation of precursor T cells from ADD patients directly in contact with thymic epithelial monolayers induced receptors for sheep erythrocytes (erythrocyte rosettes). Pretreatment of these monolayers with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine, a AD inhibitor, prevented differentiation only of ADD T cell precursors, and this was restored by providing AD following the incubation with thymic epithelial cells. A role for AD in the earliest T cell differentiation stages is indicated.