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Soluble immune complexes, acute phase proteins and E-rosette inhibitory substance in sera of malnourished children
Insights
Malnourished children show lower E-rosetting lymphocytes, indicating immune dysfunction. Soluble immune complexes in serum may inhibit T lymphocyte function, impacting E-rosette formation in children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- E-rosetting lymphocytes are crucial for T cell-mediated immunity.
- Malnutrition, particularly kwashiorkor and marasmus, can impair immune responses in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and E-rosetting lymphocytes in children.
- To explore the role of serum E-rosette inhibitory substance and soluble immune complexes in immune function.
Main Methods:
- Quantified E-rosetting lymphocytes and serum E-rosette inhibitory substance in marasmic, kwashiorkor, and well-fed children.
- Measured blood levels of soluble immune complexes and acute phase proteins (alpha 1 antitrypsin, alpha 2 macroglobulin, C-reactive protein).
Main Results:
- E-rosetting lymphocyte percentages were significantly higher in well-fed children compared to malnourished ones.
- Serum E-rosette inhibitory substance correlated with decreased E-rosetting lymphocytes.
- Elevated soluble immune complexes closely correlated with the inhibitory substance and reduced E-rosetting lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition is associated with reduced E-rosetting lymphocytes in children.
- Soluble immune complexes may inhibit T lymphocyte E-rosette formation in vivo at high concentrations, contributing to immune impairment in malnourished children.
Abstract:
The percentage of circulating E-rosetting lymphocytes and the presence of serum E-rosette inhibitory substance were determined in 58 marasmic, 13 kwashiorkor and 22 well-fed children. The blood levels of soluble immune complexes and some acute phase proteins were also measured. The percentage of E-rosetting lymphocytes was significantly higher in the well-fed than in the malnourished children. The presence of the inhibitory substance in serum correlated with depressed levels of circulating mean percentage E-rosetting lymphocytes. Elevation in the level of soluble immune complexes was observed to correlate closely with the presence of serum E-rosette inhibitory substance and with a diminished percentage of E-rosetting lymphocytes. There was no significant correlation between the percentage of circulating E-rosetting lymphocytes and the serum alpha 1 antitrypsin, alpha 2 macroglobulin or C-reactive protein levels. It is suggested that at high serum concentrations soluble immune complexes may bind selectively to human T lymphocytes in vivo, thereby inhibiting the latter's ability to form E-rosettes in vitro.