[Erythroid immunosuppressor cells (Er suppressors) and their role in the regulation of immunity]

Abstract

It is a review of works concerning the new mechanism of immunoregulation by immature erythroid cells (Er-suppressors). Er-suppressors producing humoral activity were shown to be capable of inhibiting B cell proliferation, production of immunoglobulins and humoral immune response both in mice and man. By certain characteristics Er-suppressors seem to be an logous to natural suppressors described by many authors. It is common knowledge that natural suppressors play a substantial role in the regulation of early stages of lymphocytopoiesis. Erythropoiesis disturbances may lead to the appearance at the periphery of immature precursors from bone marrow and to the suppression of B cell proliferation in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes. Detection of Er-suppressors in the patients' peripheral blood by immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies allows one to study their role in autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases and secondary immune deficiencies and to elaborate new methods of the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.