IMPROVEMENT OF NATURAL-KILLER ACTIVITY AND OF T-CELLS AFTER THYMOPOIETIN PENTAPEPTIDE THERAPY IN A PATIENT WITH SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (2) , 344-351
Abstract
The case of an 18-mo.-old child affected by malnutrition, severe interstitial pneumonia and immunological abnormalities is reported. Since the age of 10 mo., the infant suffered from severe recurrent infections and failure to thrive. Immunological studies revealed a striking decrease of T lymphocytes and of natural killer (NK) function. Serum Ig, salivary IgA, natural isohemagglutinins, Fc-IgG receptor-bearing cells and suppressor T lymphocytes were absent, together with an impaired de novo DNA synthesis after PHA [phytohemagglutinin], Con [concanavalin] A, PWM [pokeweed mitogen] and Cowan I strain from Staphylococcus aureus stimulation. In vitro incubation of the patient''s lymphocyts with TP-5, a thymopoietin-derived synthetic pentapeptide, resulted in improvement of sheep rosettes, Fc-IgG receptor-positive lymphocytes and NK function improved. Humoral immunity remained persistently depressed. This child probably could be classified as affected by late-onset severe combined immunodeficiency. In vitro assays with thymic hormones or synthetic drugs that mimic the action of thymic hormones should be performed; this therapy could be applied in the treatment of some of these heterogeneous syndromes, especially when an immunological reconstitution with bone marrow or fetal graft cannot be attempted.