Deficiency of concanavalin A induced suppressor cell activity in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 40 patients with a variety of primary immunodeficiency diseases were examined for concanavalin A (Con A) inducible suppressor activity against proliferative response of autologous and allogeneic PBMC to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). 45% (12/27) of the patients with common variable immunodeficiency and 86% (6/7) of the patients with selective IgA deficiency demonstrated lack of Con A-induced suppressor activity against proliferative response of autologous/allogeneic PBMC. 2 of 4 patients with X-linked agammaglobulin and both patients, each with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and ataxia-telangiectasia, also showed deficient suppressor function. This study demonstrates a deficiency of Con A-inducible suppressor-cell activity in a variety of immunodeficiency diseases. Possible underlying mechanisms for this functional defects are discussed.