B-cell changes occur in patients with sickle cell anemia.

B- and T-lymphocytes were studied in patients with sickle cell anemia. Samples were analyzed during asymptomatic periods and during vasocclusive pain crises to assess a possible relationship to these periods. Assays of B-cell function and quantitation of B- and T-lymphocytes and their subsets were carried out. During crises, six of the eight patients showed a significant decrease in the number of immunoglobulin-producing cells, together with normal or enhanced blastogenic responses. The total number of T-lymphocytes was normal when measured by the monoclonal antibody OKT3 in contrast to the significantly lower level observed in some patients, as determined by the E-rosette technic. There were no significant changes in the percentage of either helper or suppressor T-cells or in the percentage of B-cells. The results show that changes in in vitro B-cell function occur during vasocclusive pain crises in patients with sickle cell anemia. These may be clinically important in these patients.