Progressive myelopathy in older German shepherd dogs. II. Presence of circulating suppressor cells

Progressive myelopathy in the German shepherd dog is a degenerative neurologic disease of unknown etiology. Results presented in a previous study indicated a depression in the response to thymus-dependent mitogens by peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from dogs with progressive myelopathy. Data presented here indicate that this depressed response to mitogens was associated with the presence of peripheral blood suppressor cells. Suppressor cell activity was detected in dogs that were severely affected with PM, but was not apparent in dogs that were mildly affected. Peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from dogs with progressive myelopathy suppressed the mitogenic response to autologous lymph node cells as well as allogeneic normal canine peripheral blood cells. The suppressor cells had the capacity to suppress mixed leukocyte reactions. Suppressor cell activity was radioresistant. Both nylon wool-adherent and -nonadherent peripheral blood leukocyte populations contained suppressor activity. Suppressive activity diminished after incubation of the suppressor cells with indomethacin, suggesting that suppression may be mediated by the release of prostaglandins. Although a role for peripheral blood suppressor cells in the disease process has not yet been established, it is possible that this abnormal regulatory activity reflects an attempt by the host to control an autoimmune event.