Deficiency of interleukin-2 production and interleukin-2 receptor expression on peripheral blood leukocytes after phytohemagglutinin stimulation in pemphigus.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 22 pemphigus patients with active disease and 30 normal subjects were evaluated for interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and IL-2 receptor expression following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P). The IL-2 levels were lower in patients compared to corresponding controls and the production was delayed after PHA stimulation. This deficiency was most pronounced in severely affected patients. IL-2 receptor appearance also was lower after PHA stimulation in a small number of patients tested. These results indicate that some cellular immune functions are altered in pemphigus.