Suppressor cell numbers and activity in non-transfused renal dialysis patients.

Suppressor cell activity was studied in 30-non-transfused renal dialysis patients using the Concanavalin A enhancement method. Suppressor cell numbers were estimated in 19 patients by the T suppressor (T gamma) rosette technique and in 15 patients using a monoclonal antibody (OKT8) specific for T suppressor cells. The role of prostaglandin secreting monocytes in the observed suppression was investigated in 6 patients using the prostaglandin secreting inhibitor flurbiprofen. Both suppressor cell numbers and activity were either normal or low compared with normal healthy controls. Flurbiprofen at concentrations of 10(-4) and 10(-6) M caused a decrease in activity in both patients and normal controls. The results indicate that the increased suppressor cell activity and number reported in dialysis patients may be due to the effect of blood transfusion previously administered to the patients.