GAMMA-INTERFERON PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND T LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATION AFTER ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION1

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Abstract
T cell phenotypes after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were investigated using monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) reactive to lymphocyte cell surface antigens. Patients'' T cells showed decreased percentages of OKT4, 4A and 9.3-positive T cells, and increased percentages of OKT8, human Ia, and Leu-7-positive T cells. These changes in T cell phenotype persisted for a long period after BMT and had no correlation with the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). No lymphocyte activation antigens such as TIA (Tac) or transferrin receptor (5E9) were detected after BMT. The capacity of the patients'' lymphocytes to produce gamma-interferon (IFN-.gamma.) was measured after incubation of lymphocytes with mitogen. Patients'' lymphocytes produced significantly lower levels of IFN-.gamma. than the normal controls. This failure of IFN-.gamma. production showed no correlation with stimulation index of mitogen blastogenesis or changes of T cell population. Thus, not only T cell phenotype but also measurement of IFN-.gamma. production of lymphocyte may be useful in detecting immunological abnormalities in patients who receive BMT.

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