Phenotype and functional properties of Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) binding T cells in patients with Crohn's disease: detection of contrasuppressor activity in patients lacking extra-intestinal manifestations, abscesses and fistulas.

Patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) have significantly increased numbers of T cells binding the Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA). In patients with CD these VVA+ T cells express either the CD4 or the CD8 determinants, while in normal controls the majority of VVA+ T cells are CD8+. VVA+ T cells are significantly decreased in number in the inflamed mucosa as compared to normal controls. However, in only a subgroup of the patients do the VVA+ T cells show contrasuppressor activity with respect to the IgA and total Ig secretion upon co-cultivation with autologous B cells. Regression analysis revealed that in all data presented, contrasuppression activity correlates significantly with the absence of extra-intestinal symptoms, abscesses and fistulas.