SEVERE APLASTIC-ANEMIA TREATED WITH ANTI-LYMPHOCYTE GLOBULIN - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLINICAL COURSE AND ERYTHROID COLONY SUPPRESSION BY T-CELLS

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (2) , 128-134
Abstract
A 6-yr-old girl with severe aplastic anemia improved promptly after treatment with anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG). Blood T lymphocytes were proved to have a suppressive effect on erythroid colony formation. ALG was administered i.v. at a dose of 15 mg/kg per d [day] for 5 d. By the 14th d, she showed a prompt increase in the reticulocyte count. Within the next 2 wk slight increase of the platelet count was observed while the neutrophil count remained unchanged. The suppressive effect of T cells on erythroid colony formation weakened when the reticulocyte count exceeded 100 .times. 109/l. About 4 mo. after administration of ALG, a decreased reticulocyte count was observed along with frequent nasal bleeding. Again the T cells exhibited a suppressive effect on erythroid colony formation. The results of serial co-culture studies revealed a close correlation between the T-cell suppressive effect on erythroid colony formation and reticulocyte response. An immune-mediated mechanism for the hematopoietic disorder in this patient is suggested.