Subpopulations of T lymphocytes and non-specific suppressor cell activity in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Thirty-five adult persons with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and increased levels of IgE in serum were studied for the presence of Fc-IgG (T gamma) and Fc-IgM (T mu) receptor-carrying T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. When T lymphocytes from the patient were kept in vitro cultures a reduced expansion of the Fc-IgG receptors was found after 24 hr of incubation, but not after 48 hr of incubation. No difference was observed concerning Fc-IgM-carrying T lymphocytes. In 19 patients we studied Con A-induced suppressor activity of blood lymphocytes using autologous PHA-stimulated lymphocytes as target cells. Following stimulation with Con A, 1 microgram/ml, for 2 and 4 days, lymphocytes from atopic patients had a reduced non-specific suppressor activity in vitro. If however, the concentration of Con A was increased to 10 microgram/ml, then lymphocytes from atopic patients exhibited a normal suppressor activity.