Immunological studies in patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency.

The proportion of total T cells, OKT4+ (helper/inducer phenotype) T cells and activated T cells (Tac+) in four growth hormone deficient children were compared to simultaneously studied age and sex matched healthy controls. Proportions of OKT8+ T cells (suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype), and B lymphocytes (surface immunoglobulin positive) were increased when compared to healthy controls. Increased proportion of OKT8+ T cells resulted in abnormally low ratios of OKT4+/OKT8+ cells. Proliferative response to PHA and in the AMLR were comparable to the control group. In allogeneic MLR, T cells from three of four patients responded poorly and three of four patients non-T cells stimulated poorly in MLR. Con A activated suppressor cell activity was comparable to healthy control group. This study supports the role of growth hormone in certain immune response.