Suppressor function in respiratory allergic diseases. Deficient concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity in patients with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppressor action against the proliferative response of autologous lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was examined in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 32 patients with bronchial asthma, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis and then compared with 12 simultaneously studied healthy normals. Twenty-two of 32 patients (68.8%) with bronchial asthma, 8 of 10 patients (80%) with allergic rhinitis demonstrated deficient Con-A-induced suppressor function. Abnormal suppressor cell functions could play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic states.