Studies on the suppression of lymphocyte proliferation by concanavalin-A activated mononuclear cells in normal individuals.

Suppressor lymphocytes are known to play an important role in the control of immune responses. The property of the lectin concanavalin-A (Con-A) to induce suppressor cell activity (SCA) has been used as the basis of a method to assess SCA in the peripheral blood of patients. In this study we confirm previous data on the standard double culture assay for Con-A induced SCA and we analyse the possibility to demonstrate SCA in a single culture assay. Although suppression could be demonstrated with this new assay, we discuss the reasons that can represent a major limitation to its use in clinical studies.