[Effect of T-cell depletion of the graft on graft survival and graft vs host disease].

A limiting dilution culture method has been developed which allows the detection of small numbers of residual marrow T cells following their depletion with the monoclonal antibody Campath-I and autologous complement. In seven consecutive patients the degree of T cell depletion obtained was 1.82 (1.27-2.82) log. The number of nucleated cells per kg decreased by 50% and the number of CFU-GM per kg decreased by 60%. In all except one case marrow cellularity was found to be satisfactory 3 weeks after the transplant. Peripheral engraftment of granulocytes (greater than 500/mm3 on day 20, greater than 1000/mm3 on day 27), lymphocytes (greater than 500 on day 39, greater than 1000 on day 66), platelets (greater than 20,000 and self-sustained after day 24) and red blood cells (day to last infusion = 19) indicated a delay in recovery of lymphocytes and possibly granulocytes, but not platelets or red blood cells, compared to the engraftment seen in non-T depleted patients. No correlation between nucleated cells infused, GFU-GM and engraftment was found. However, the extent of T cell depletion apparently affects lymphocyte, and possibly granulocyte, recovery. The delay in lymphoid engraftment is also reflected by nonresponsiveness to alloantigens during the first 6-9 months following marrow grafting in the absence of graft vs. host disease.