Cellular immune response in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cell-mediated immune responsiveness was evaluated in 8 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (CDM). The percentage of blood OKM1 (monocytes), OKT3 (T-cells), OKT4 (helper cells), OKT8 (suppressor cells) and Leu7 (NK) positive cells remained within the normal range whereas the percentage of Leu11 (NK) and OKIa1 (Ia determinant) positive cells was found decreased. The NK cell cytotoxicity was significantly lowered. The ConA-suppressor cell activity was found increased while the responsiveness of lymphocytes to ConA decreased. Taken together, no consistent numerical changes in lymphocyte subsets were observed in patients with CDM, however, some functional deficiencies which may play a role in the pathogenesis of CDM were detected.