Immunoglobulin synthesis by lymphocytes of eight immuno-deficient children

The group of patients consisted of 4 pairs of male siblings with the family history suggesting X-linked immunodeficiency. The concentration of serum immunoglobulins (Ig) and the titer of anti-E. coli and anti-Candida albicans antibodies was extremely low in comparison to the control group. Only 2 siblings showed normal number of lymphocytes with surface Ig. Four out of 8 children had the increased number of Fc-IgG bearing T cells. Blast transformation of lymphocytes revealed the decreased response to PHA and Con A in 2 children. Cellular immunoglobulin (cIg) synthesis of in vitro stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was decreased in all 8 children. Prednisolone, when added to the PBL cultures, increased cIg synthesis in 2 children. Thymosin (TFX) caused an enhancement of cIg production by lymphocytes of 4 children. Cowan I--elicited stimulation of PBL was low in all but 2 children. Our data further support the view on the heterogeneity of etiopathogenesis of hypogammaglobulinemia.