Abnormal generation of concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell function in human autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Abstract Lymphocyte reactivity to the mitogens Con A, PHA, and PWM and the generation of Con A-induced suppressor cells were assessed in 12 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and in 20 normal controls. With suboptimal doses of Con A and PHA most patients (9 and 8 out of 12, respectively) gave a response above normal control values. However, no significant difference was observed when optimal doses of mitogen were used. Mononuclear cells from most patients (8 out of 10) also showed a decreased capacity to generate Con A-induced suppressor cell activity. These results support the hypothesis that in AIHA exists an immunoregulatory defect which might have a pathogenic role in the development of this disease.