Quantification of the soluble receptor of human T lymphocytes for sheep erythrocytes in the serum of patients with aplastic anaemia.

The soluble E-receptor (Rs) of human T lymphocytes for sheep erythrocytes has been quantified by electroimmunodiffusion ("rocket" electrophoresis) in serum samples from 23 patients with aplastic anaemia and 43 controls. A statistically significant increase of Rs levels was found in the group of patients as compared with controls. Sixteen patients showed Rs values greater than the mean +2SD of the control group. No correlation between Rs values and the number of circulating total lymphocytes or T lymphocytes was observed. Since Rs serum levels have previously been shown to be increased in diseases associated with depressed cell mediated immunity, the finding of high levels of Rs in most cases of aplastic anaemia may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.