Lymphocyte Transformation Induced by Autologous Platelets in a Case of Thrombocytopenic Purpura

In a case of chronic thrombocytopenic purpura, significant lymphocyte transformation could be induced with autologous platelets as a stimulant. The reaction was not due to serum factors since it occurred when culture medium was supplemented either with autologous or pooled human serum. Controls excluded nonspecific lymphocyte transformation. Modulation of normal platelet antigens by viral or chemical factors or adsorption of such factors on the platelet membrane could account for the observed reactions. However, since other auto-antibodies were demonstrated, the hypothesis of altered cellular "self-recognition" mechanisms is tentatively proposed as an alternative explanation for this observation.