DIMINISHED SUPPRESSOR CELL-FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ASBESTOSIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (1) , 108-116
Abstract
Epidemiological and immunological studies of asbestos workers documented abnormalities in humoral and cell-mediated immunity which could result from defective immunoregulation. This hypothesis was tested with comparison of lymphocyte function in age-, sex- and smoking-matched subjects with asbestosis. In vivo measure of delayed hypersensitivity (i.e., skin test response) was significantly depressed to 2 recall antigens, streptokinase-streptodornase and Candida, in asbestosis patients. Skin reaction to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was not depressed, although lymphocytes of patients giving positive skin test reactions demonstrated a significantly lower (P < 0.001) proliferative response to dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBSO3) in vitro. T cell counts (erythrocyte rosettes) were normal in patients with asbestosis, although a subset of T cells, those forming sheep erythrocyte rosettes after prolonged incubation, were significantly depressed (P < 0.003). This population was equated with suppressor cells. Numbers of B cells were increased nearly 2-fold over controls. Mitogen response of lymphocytes was normal except at suboptimal mitogen doses where the response is influenced by suppressor cell activity, which was significantly elevated. Suppressor cell function, as determined by stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes preincubated with concanavalin A, was also significantly decreased in asbestosis patients (P < 0.01).