Suppression of monocyte dependent lymphocyte stimulation by sera from patients with Hodgkin's disease

The effect of sera from patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) on monocyte dependent ConA and MLC-activation of normal lymphocytes to DNA synthesis was studied. Lymphocyte stimulation was greatly enhanced in the presence of monocytes at a monocyte : lymphocyte ratio of less than or equal to 8 : 1. Higher ratios were usually suppressive. Some HD sera suppressed monocyte mediated enhancement of ConA and MLC-stimulation efficiently. The degree of inhibition by the individual HD serum remained similar in the absence of monocytes and at various monocyte : lymphocyte ratios. Pretreatment of monocytes or lymphocytes with HD serum had no effect. Inhibition was only noted when serum was present during the whole culture period. It is concluded that HD sera do not hamper the activity of monocytes to augment lymphocyte growth. The effect may be explained by direct effects of serum factors on lymphocytes.