Apoptosis of T cells in multicentric Castleman's disease

Abstract

Profound immunodeficiency in multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) has already been indicated.
We evaluated immune function in four MCD patients. These results show: (1) polyclonal B cell activation in 4/4 patients, (2) decreased T cell colony formation in 3/4 patients, (3) decreased NK activity and NK cell number in 2/4 patients, (4) spontaneous IL-6 production in peripheral blood monocyte. These results showed that MCD resemble acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Moreover, we indicated increased T cell activation in MCD, with this activation probably resulting in apoptosis. T cell apoptosis may be related to the pathogenesis of MCD.