title: Differential regulation of T- and B-lymphocyte activation in severely burned patients.
abstract: We studied the in vitro expression and regulation of the CD23 and CD25 (Tac) surface antigens by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from severely burned patients (burn injuries ranging from 25% to 72% TBSA) in order to evaluate T- and B-lymphocyte activation processes after thermal trauma. The spontaneous and cytokine (IL-4, IL-2)-induced expression of CD23 which represents a B-cell activation marker was significantly reduced during the second to fifth week postburn when compared to healthy donors. In contrast, CD25, which is expressed on activated T cells, showed a marked increase both spontaneously, indicating an in vivo activation, and after stimulation with IL-2 or PHA. Concomitantly, T-cell proliferation induced by PHA or Con A was suppressed. However, the number of T and B cells remained unchanged. The data demonstrate the impairment of early events in the lymphocyte program in severely burned patients. The activation of B cells is downregulated, since they become refractory to external helper signals. In addition, T cells are highly activated but fail to proceed to proliferation in response to mitogenic stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Med. Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, F.R.G.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schlüter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Köller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erbs
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002056:Burns / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2