Med Hypotheses. 1985 Mar;16(3):189-206. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
Allogeneic lymphocytes can exert very potent non-specific
immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Repeated infusions
of allogeneic suppressor or helper populations may find use in the
treatment of diseases characterized by impaired suppressor function
(such as many autoimmune diseases) or impaired helper function (such as
AIDS), respectively. Nutritional adjuvants for use with allogeneic
suppressor therapy may include essential fatty acids, zinc, selenium,
and vitamin E; the latter two nutrients as well as vitamin C and beta
carotene may have value as adjuvants for allogeneic helper therapy. In a
small preliminary trial, long-lasting normalization of rheumatoid factor
titers and clinical symptoms has been achieved in 5 of 7 cases of
chronic rheumatoid arthritis treated with allogeneic lymphocyte
infusions, selenium, and vitamin E. These results indicate that
allogeneic lymphocyte infusions accompanied by antioxidant support can
promote the induction of new appropriate suppressor activity in the
host. This phenomenon of allogeneic suppressor induction may be more
clinically important than direct allosuppression of host B cells under
the conditions of this study, and may find application in the treatment
of a number of autoimmune disorders.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/IMMUNOLOGY/*THERAPY Autoimmune
Diseases/IMMUNOLOGY/*THERAPY *Blood Transfusion Human Immune
Tolerance Lymphocytes/*TRANSPLANTATION T-Lymphocytes,
Helper-Inducer/*IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes,
Suppressor-Effector/*IMMUNOLOGY Transplantation, Homologous JOURNAL
ARTICLE REVIEW