Ultraviolet irradiation modulates MHC-alloreactive cytotoxic T-cell precursors involved in the onset of graft-versus-host disease.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation of cellular blood components has been proposed as a new technology to prevent HLA sensitization in recipients. Earlier studies have shown that a dose of 2 J/cm2 abrogates the ability of lymphocytes to serve as stimulators in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). In this study we have evaluated the effect of UV energy on T-lymphocytes for the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD). The response of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors against host alloantigens was almost undetectable at a dose of 0.5 J/cm2. T-cell proliferation in MLC or in response to phytohaemagglutinin was inhibited by more than 95% at doses of 1 J/cm2 or higher. The data suggest that UV irradiation can be used to prevent both HLA sensitization and TA-GvHD in recipients.
van Prooijen
H C
HC
Department of Immunohaematology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Aarts-Riemens
M I
MI
Grijzenhout
M A
MA
van Weelden
H
H
D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays