title: T lymphocyte subsets and NK cell cytotoxicity in chronic hemodialysis patients. The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) treatment.
abstract: We investigated subpopulations of T lymphocytes, NK cell number and cytotoxic activity in 14 chronic uremic patients on regular hemodialysis treatment. We observed a significantly decreased absolute lymphocyte number and percentage of CD3 cells. Relative numbers of CD16 cells were significantly elevated, but NK cell cytotoxic activity was within a normal range. Nine patients with chronic renal anemia on maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in rHu-EPO treatment trial. The treatment was continued till the hematocrit level reached 30%. Each of the patients had corrected anemia and well-being. After 12 weeks of the treatment we observed in these patients decreases in CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD16 cell numbers and elevation of CD4/CD8 ratio. Cytotoxic activity of NK cells did not change significantly. Presented results indicate that chronic hemodialysis patients have significantly diminished lymphocyte number. rHu EPO treatment affects the T lymphocyte subsets inducing a deep decrease of CD8 and CD16 cell percentage leading to normalisation of the CD4/CD8 ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Lódź, Poland.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Baj
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pokoca
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Majewska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luciak
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tchórzewski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D004921:Erythropoietin