Inducer and suppressor T cell subsets in protein-energy malnutrition: Analysis by monoclonal antibodies

Malnutrition results in impaired cell-mediated immune responses. We have examined various subsets of T lymphocytes reactive with monoclonal antibodies against cell-surface antigens using flourescein-triggered cell sorting technique. There was a reduction in the absolute number of T lymphocytes reactive with anti-T3. Both inducer cells identified by anti-T4 and suppressor cells identified by anti-T8 were decreased in number, particularly the former. The inducer/suppressor ratio was low. These alterations in lymphocyte subset numbers were reversed to normal following nutritional therapy for 4–8 weeks. Changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations may partly explain depressed cell-medicated immunity in malnutrition.