EVALUATION OF LYMPHOCYTE-T SUBPOPULATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 581-585
Abstract
Lymphocyte subsets were evaluated both quantitatively and functionally in children with nephrotic syndrome. Ten chidren had minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 7 had focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) and 4 had recovered from MCNS. Two patients with FSGS had decreased OKT4+ cells and a decreased T4/T8 ratio. Patients with active MCNS synthesized significantly less IgM in vitro than did normal subjects (P < 0.005). In vitro IgG synthesis was significantly decreased in patients with active nephrotic syndrome whether it was due to MCNS or FSGS. Co-culture studies involving lymphocyte subsets suggested that both patients with decreased percentages of T4+ cells had decreased T helper cell activity as well. The results support previous speculation about abnormal immune function in some patients with nephrotic syndrome.