Specific anti-influenza virus antibody production in vitro by lymphocytes from a subset of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia

Specific anti-influenza virus antibody production in vitro was studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 17 patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Cells obtained from 6 of 12 patients with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia produced anti-influenza virus antibody, predominantly of the IgM isotype, when cultured in vitro with type A influenza virus. No antibody was produced in vitro, however, by cells from either of two patients with Bruton's type X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia or by cells from any of three patients with X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia and isolated growth hormone deficiency. These studies demonstrate that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a subset of patients with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia retain the potential to produce specific antibody in response to antigenic stimulation.