Effects of antithyroid drugs on Con A-induced suppressor cell activity.

It is well established that Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced human peripheral blood lymphocytes exert suppressive effects on mitogen-induced proliferation of responder cells. Using peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy individuals, effects of antithyroid drugs on Con A-induced suppressor function were studied. We found an enhancement of Con A-stimulated suppressor activity by MMI and PTU in all these subjects. In the light of these data, an enhancement in suppressor activity by antithyroid drugs may contribute, in part, to a remission of Graves' disease.