Mitogen induced lymphoproliferative responses and lymphocyte sub-populations in patients with sickle cell disease

Mitogen induced lymphoproliferative responses and lymphocyte sub-populations were studied in a group of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with homozygous SS hemoglobinopathy. Even though the response to a sub-optimal dose of Con A (0.5 microgram/ml of culture) was significantly decreased in patients with SCD, the proliferative responses to optimal doses of Con A, to PHA and to PWM were preserved in the patients. Addition of indomethacin to the cultures increased to a more significant degree the response to Con A of lymphocytes from patients than from the normal controls. Study of the mononuclear cell subsets indicated that the relative and absolute numbers of B lymphocytes as well as those of monocytes were significantly increased in the patients' group. The percentage of T3+ lymphocytes was found decreased in SCD. However, a rise in the number of T11+ and T4+ lymphocytes as well as in the helper/suppressor cell ratio was observed in the patients as compared to controls.