T cell subsets in patients with multiple myeloma
Katagiri, S.; Yonezawa, T.; Tsubakio, T.; Tamaki, T.; Kanakura, Y.; Kanayama, Y.; Kuyama, J.; Hiraoka, A.; Tarui, S.
Nihon Ketsueki Gakkai Zasshi Journal of Japan Haematological Society 47(6): 1351-1358
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5806 PMID: 6334964 Document Number: 240009
T cell subsets in the peripheral blood were investigated by monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8) in 13 patients with untreated myeloma. A decreased proportion of OKT4 positive cells and an increased proportion of OKT8 positive cells were found in comparison with normal controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was markedly reduced in myeloma (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between OKT4/OKT8 ratios and serum polyclonal IgM levels (r = 0.66, P < 0.02), but not IgG and IgA. Nine patients were evaluated for PWM-induced IgM production by mononuclear cells in vitro. There was a singificant correlation between OKT4/OKT8 ratios and cumulative IgM levels in the culture medium (r = 0.68, P < 0.05). The imbalance of T cell subsets apparently plays a role in the pathogenesis of immune deficit in myeloma.