Nitin K. Damle

MHC-Restricted Antigen-Receptor Specific Regulatory T Cell Circuits in Man

In vitro analysis of interactions among various functionally and phenotypically distinct human T and nonT lymphoid cells has been greatly facilitated by the development of monoclonal antibodies (mab) to a variety of lymphoid cell surface molecules (1). With the use of such antibodies two major sublineages of human T cells were initially defined, Leu2+/T8+ cells which mediate most cytolytic and suppressor (Tc+Ts) effects and Leu3+/T4+ cells which mediate most helper/inducer (Th+Ti) functions (2–5). Cells within these two sublineages appear to recognize antigen in association with class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products (HLA-A, B,C) and class II MHC (HLA-DR,DC,SB) products respectively, and this differential recognition of distinct MHC products influences the responses of cells within the two sublineages to a variety of stimuli (4,6).

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in man. IV. Decreased autologous mixed lymphocyte culture response in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) was studied in 18 patients with common variable immunodeficiency. The AMLR was decreased in 10 of 18 (55%) patients with common variable immunodeficiency compared to healthy controls. In allogeneic MLR, T cells from patients were found to be poor responders, and non-T cells poor stimulators, compared to allogeneic MLR between healthy normal controls. In allogeneic MLR, B cells (B cells + null cells) from patients were poor stimulators, whereas macrophages stimulated normally compared to controls. The deficient AMLR could be one of the mechanisms responsible for the increased risk of autoimmune phenomena in a subset of patients with primary immunodeficiency.

Colony-Forming Lymphocytes in Man

Phytohemagglutinin-induced T cell colony ( > 50 cells/aggregate) and cluster (10–50 cells/aggregate) formation was studied by one-stage microagar culture in glass capillaries by peripheral blood monon