Role of the spleen in immunosuppression of gastric cancer: predominance of suppressor precursor and suppressor inducer T cells in the recirculating spleen cells
Toge, T.; Kuroi, K.; Kuninobu, H.; Yamaguchi, Y.; Kegoya, Y.; Baba, N.; Hattori, T.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 74(3): 409-412
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 2976622 Document Number: 316561
In order to analyse the role of the spleen on immunosuppression of gastric cancer, T cell phenotypes in the spleen cells (SC) were investigated by two colour fluorescence flow cytometry, with reference to their suppressor cell activity. Supppressor T cell phenotypes of CD4+2H4+ cells (suppressor/inducer T cells) and CD8+CD11+ (suppressor T cells) were distributed predominately in SCs from patients with gastric cancer, while they were distributed scarcely in those with liver cirrhosis. Moreover, CD4+2H4+ cells and CD8+CD11= cells were found predominantly in SCs and splenic vein lymphocytes (SVL) respectively. Among SCs, a significantly higher proportion of CD4+2H4+ cells was found in the recirculating Scs, but fewer were found in the residual SCs. Higher activity of Concanavalin-A induced suppressor cells was found in the former and that of spontaneously activated suppressor cells was found in the latter. These results suggest the suppressor precursor and suppressor/inducer T cells might distribute predominantly in the cells recirculating from the spleen, and that suppressor cells might be matured during the migration from the spleen.