Monocyte-dependent serum suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis in Hodgkin's disease: An association with nephrotic syndrome

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Abstract
A factor inhibitory to PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis was found to be present in the serum of a patient with advanced Hodgkin's disease and nephrotic syndrome. The inhibitory activity for both syngeneic and allogeneic lymphocytes was dependent on the presence of peripheral blood monocytes. The Raji-cell serum assay, as well as immunofluorescence and light and electron microscopy of the renal biopsy, showed no evidence of immune complexes. Nevertheless, a high serum IgE level as well as the finding that ultracentrifugation and heating at 56°C significantly reduced the inhibitory activity (P < 0.01) suggested the possibility that an immune complex might have mediated the suppressive activity. Treatment of the Hodgkin's disease with combined chemotherapy caused a marked reduction in the monocyte-dependent serum inhibitory activity which in turn coincided with a prompt remission of the nephrotic syndrome and marked regression of disease.