Suppressor T cells and soluble suppressor factors in allergy: effect of immunotherapy

Summary Suppressor‐cell activity of Concanavalin‐A‐stimulated lymphocytes was studied in allergic patients by inhibition of one‐way mixed lymphocyte culture reactions before and after allergy immunotherapy. This activity was compared with twelve healthy controls. In preliminary experiments, six out of eight allergic patients had no detectable T suppressor activity. In the second prospective group, eight out of eleven patients had much reduced suppressor‐cell activity before immunotherapy, and seven out of eleven patients had much reduced activity after immunotherapy. The data suggest that non‐specific T suppressor‐cell activity is reduced in allergic patients but immunotherapy does not restore such activity.