Relationship Between Naturally Occurring T Lymphocytotoxic Antibodies in Viral and Related Diseases and Their Target T Lymphocyte Subsets

Abstract

Naturally occurring T lymphocytotoxic antibodies (T-LCA) have been detected in a variety of diseases including autoimmune diseases, viral infections and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study was undertaken to determine whether T-LCA in viral and related diseases are directed against a particular subset of T cells. After lysis of normal T cells with T-LCA and complement, the residual T cell population was studied using a series of T cell subset specific monoclonal antibodies. Our results indicate that T-LCA present in viral exanthema, pityriasis rosea and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be preferentially directed against OKT-8 (suppressor/cytotoxic) positive T cells, whereas those of nasopharyngeal carcinoma may be preferentially directed against OKT-4 (helper/inducer) positive T cells. These findings suggest that different reactivities of T-LCA with T cell subsets are dependent upon a variety of factors. It is also noted that the sera of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma showed higher titers of T-LCA than those of patients with viral exanthema and pityriasis rosea.