Suppressor-cell dysfunction in children with histiocytosis-X

Suppressor-cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined and lymphocyte subsets analyzed in children with histiocytosis-X and in healthy, age-matched subjects. Suppressor-cell function was assessed by two methods, the indomethacin stimulation of mitogen-activated cultures and the concanavalin A-inducible suppressor-cell assay. The results of these two assays indicate that children with active disease have significantly decreased suppressor-cell activity. Additionally, the percentage and absolute number of OKT8+ lymphocytes were decreased in children with active disease. Suppressor-cell activity and lymphocyte subsets returned to normal, baseline levels with disease remission. This study documents for the first time suppressor-cell dysfunction and supports previous investigations in which suppressor T lymphocytes are deficient in children with active disease. These findings may explain certain clinical manifestations seen in children with histiocytosis-X.