Deficiency of Interleukin-2 Production and Interleukin-2 Receptor Expression on Peripheral Blood Leukocytes after Phytohemagglutinin Stimulation in Pemphigus

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 22 pemphigus patients with active disease and 30 normal subjects were evaluated for interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and IL-2 receptor expression following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P). The IL-2 levels were lower in patients compared to corresponding controls and the production was delayed after PHA stimulation. This deficiency was most pronounced in severely affected patients. IL-2 receptor appearance also was lower after PHA stimulation in a small number of patients tested. These results indicate that some cellular immune functions are altered in pemphigus