FAILURE OF T AND B CELL COOPERATION DURING GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE

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Abstract
Possible explanations for the immune deficiency usually associated with graft-vs.-host disease include defective lymphocyte differentiation and active suppressor cell mechanisms. Observations in a [bone marrow transplant] patient with chronic graft-vs.-host disease delineate yet another possible mechanism: a failure of successful interaction between competent patient lymphocytes. Thus, helper and suppressor T cells as well as precursor B cells for the generation of specific in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses were present among patient lymphocytes and could interact normally with cells from 4 unrelated normal donors and produce PFC responses. Patient cells failed to interact successfully with each other and generate PFC. A highly (self-) specific block in cell interaction is suggested that could explain the inability of the patient to mount a PFC response in vitro as well as a number of antibody responses in vivo during this disease phase.