T- and B-lymphocyte subpopulations following radiotherapy for invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with cervical carcinoma were studied before and after radiotherapy. T lymphocytes were recognized by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes). Two surface marker characteristics were used to detect B lymphocytes: receptors for activated complement responsible for erythrocyte--antibody--complement (EAC) rosette formation, and surface membrane immunoglobulin (SmIg), readily stainable by immunofluorescence. We have demonstrated a significant depression of total lymphocytes after radiotherapy which persists for more than 5 years. This reduction in lymphocytes is due to a loss of E rosette-forming T cells, SmIg-bearing B cells and null cells. Absolute numbers of EAC rosette-forming B cells are not altered by treatment, and there is a rise in this cell type when the results are expressed as percentages of the total lymphocyte count. The possible functional immunological significance of these changes is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000532:radiotherapy
D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell