Autologous rosette-forming capacity of T-lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease

Distribution of the T-lymphocyte subpopulation capable of binding own erythrocytes was examined in patients with Hodgkin's (H) disease. Parallel with the autologous rosette-forming cells (Tar-cells) the absolute lymphocyte count and the proportion of sheep-E-rosette forming T-cells were studied in various stages and histological types of H-disease. A considerable increase in the proportion of Tar-cells was found in untreated or recurrent H-disease, whereas in the periods of remission resulting from therapy no distinct differences between these figures and the mean values of the controls were demonstrable. In the generalized stage of the disease as well as in its mixed-cell and lymphocyte depletion types of poor prognosis, the proportion of Tar-cells was increased. The absolute lymphocyte count and the proportion of T-cells showed a significant fall with the increase of Tar-cells. It is assumed on the grounds of the functional properties of T-cells that the increase in the proportion of Tar-cells in H-disease may be interpreted as a sign of suppressor hyperactivity.