Cyclic shifts in thymus derived (T) and bone marrow derived (B) lymphocytes from a severe combined immuno deficiency (SCID) patient

The peripheral blood numbers of T and B lymphocytes from a patient diagnosed as SCID were quantitated for one yr. The three yr old patient has been maintained since birth in a gnotobiotic environment. Cyclic fluctuations were observed in the numbers of T and B cells. At two yr of age, 85% of the cells stained positive for surface immunoglobulin (B cells) and 5% formed spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (T cells). Subsequently, the percentage of B cells decreased to within a normal range (20 to 37%) concomitant with an increase in the percentage of T cells (45 to 61%). Several similar cyclic changes have been observed. The patient's lymphocytes are not responsive to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) or pokeweed mitogens even though membrane receptors for PHA and Con A were detected by immunofluorescent techniques. Immunofluorescent studies of mitogen binding receptors on SCID mononuclear cells (MNC) showed 52% of the cells binding PHA and 88% binding Con A. Both mitogens were bound to 100% of normal control MNC.