It has recently been shown that human T-cell subpopulation can be identified functionally via surface receptors for Fc fragment of immunoglobulins. We detected peripheral blood T-cells bearing the Fc receptor for IgG molecules (T gamma cell) in patients with brain tumors who manifested a variety of immunological abnormalities. We also analyzed immunological values of T gamma cells which were thought to be suppressor and/or a part of killer T cells, comparing with other immunological parameters. The percentage of T gamma cells was significantly higher in patients with malignant brain tumors than in normal controls (6.54 +/- 1.6%). The values of T gamma cells in patients with glioma, metastatic brain tumor, benign brain tumor were 15.4 +/- 4.8%, 14.9 +/- 3.2%, and 8.1 +/- 3.7%, respectively. In the patients with glioma, the values increased in the uncontrolled group compared with the well-controlled group. Furthermore, the values were decreased by surgical removal of the tumor. On immunological study of T gamma cells in the patients with glioma, there was a definite correlation between the values of T gamma cells and ADCC activity. Furthermore, the T gamma cells in the patients showed higher ADCC activity than in normal controls. The values of T gamma cells also correlated with blastogenesis of the peripheral blood lymphocytes by PHA (r = -0.742, p less than 0.001) and Con A (r = -0.662, p less than 0.001). These results suggest that T gamma cells are playing two important roles in patients with glioma such as suppressor function and ADCC activity, and that these cells may change according to the tumor growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity Brain Neoplasms