Circulating Suppressor Cells in Aplastic Anemia

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Abstract
In vitro proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells was studied in an aplastic anemia patient. Prior to therapy his peripheral blood contained a very low myeloid progenitor number but a normal number of cells forming lymphoid colonies. This patient''s peripheral blood lymphocytes were able to suppress in vitro formation of myeloid colonies but not lymphoid colonies. This suppression effect was sensitive to prednisolone and antithymocytic globulin. Following prednisolone treatment during which an apparent hematological recovery was observed, lymphoid progenitors level fell, but myeloid committed cells returned to normal and hematopoietic suppression was no longer detectable. Cells suppressing hematopoiesis may circulate in the peripheral blood of some patients with aplastic anemia; detection and testing susceptibility of these cells to immunosuppressive drugs may help in monitor treatment and prognosis.