Suppressor cell function in a family with familial Mediterranean fever

D. N. Ilfeld, S. Weil, O. Kuperman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Defective suppressor cell function has been demonstrated in several diseases but has not been tested in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We tested the ability of concanavalin A-activated suppressor cells from one family with FMF to inhibit the proliferation of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated responder cells from normal volunteers. Four FMF patients tested between acute attacks had a mean (± s.e.) per cent suppression (5 ± 2) which was significantly (P < 0.0005) less than an FMF patient tested during a spontaneous remission (47 ± 3), 10 healthy family members (41 ± 6) and eight normal volunteers (45 ± 4). Since FMF is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder, deficient suppressor cell function is expressed in homozygotes between acute attack, but not in a homozygote in spontaneous remission, homozygotes who are phenotypically normal, nor heterozygotes. This suggests that the suppressor cell abnormality in this family is probably related to the pathogenesis of FMF rather than representing a genetic marker of FMF or non-specific depression by disease activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)357-361
Number of pages5
JournalClinical and Experimental Immunology
Volume43
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1981
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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