Effect of transfer factor on lymphocyte function in anergic patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is characterized by anergy.
• Dialyzable transfer factor (DTF) is derived from leukocytes and may restore cell-mediated immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of DTF in anergic patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• To investigate the immunological responses following DTF administration.

Main Methods:

• Five anergic patients received DTF from a single donor.
• Immunological assessments included delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity, in vitro antigen-induced thymidine incorporation, and macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) production.
• Patients were tested before and after DTF injection.

Main Results:

• Four out of five patients developed delayed skin responses to antigens the donor was sensitive to.
• Recipient lymphocytes produced MIF upon exposure to specific antigens.
• Antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation was observed only intermittently in one patient.
• Attempts to sensitize patients with chlorodinitrobenzene were unsuccessful.
• A patient with Nezelof syndrome did not respond to DTF.

Conclusions:

• DTF enhances immunocompetent cells involved in lymphokine production.
• DTF has minimal effect on cells mediating blastogenesis.
• The specific immune effects of DTF were demonstrated by the failure to induce sensitization to chlorodinitrobenzene.
• The lack of response in Nezelof syndrome suggests lymphokine-producing cells are thymus-derived.