LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION-INHIBITION FACTOR (LIF) PRODUCTION BY LYMPHOCYTES OF NORMAL CHILDREN, NEWBORNS, AND CHILDREN WITH IMMUNE DEFICIENCY

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (3) , 448-454
Abstract
The reproducibility of a simplified, sensitive and rapid agarose-cell droplet assay for leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) activity was studied. Removal of T [thymus-derived] cells with anti-T-cell serum eliminated LIF activity, indicating that in humans it is probably the T cell that produces LIF. Cord blood lymphocytes produce LIF, although spontaneous migration of leukocytes is less than in older children. The cause of this apparently does not reside in the PMN [polymorphonuclear] leukocytes. Studies of children with immunodeficiency suggest that the T-cell population in humans is heterogenous. B[bone marrow-derived]-cell deficiencies such as hypogammaglobulinemia, have normal PPD [purified protein derivative] and PHA [phytohemagglutinin] induced LIF production. Some patients with ataxia-telangiectasia have defective PPD LIF activity, their PHA LIF activity being only minimally depressed. Down''s syndrome patients with reduced blood T cells have remarkably deficient LIF activity to PHA, and relatively good activity to PPD. Children receiving steroid therapy lose much of their ability to produce LIF to the specific antigen PPD, but not to the non-specific mitogen PHA.