Deficiency of Suppressor T Cells in the Hyperimmunoglobulin E Syndrome

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Abstract

The status of suppressor T cells (Ts) was assessed in seven children with the hyper IgE syndrome (recurrent staphylococcal infections, eczematous skin rash, and elevated serum IgE) to determine whether a deficiency in Ts is associated with increased IgE synthesis. When circulating T cells and their subsets were enumerated with the aid of monoclonal antibodies that identify T cells (T3), helper/inducer T cells (T4), and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (T8), there was a selective deficiency of T3+ cells (51.7±11.2% vs. 66±5% for normal controls) and of T8+ cells (7.5±4.4% vs. 22±4% for normal controls) but not of T4+ cells (36.5±7.5% vs. 37±3% for normal controls).

Authors

Raif S. Geha, Ellis Reinherz, Donald Leung, Kelly T. McKee Jr., Stuart Schlossman, Fred S. Rosen