title: Normal T lymphocyte function in patients with end-stage renal disease hemodialyzed with 'high-flux' polysulfone membranes.
abstract: T lymphocyte function was analyzed in patients hemodialyzed with 'high-flux' polysulfone membranes, which have been reported to improve the patients' overall clinical condition and well-being. For comparison purposes, patients treated by the use of 'low-flux' cuprophane membranes were also studied. Peripheral blood white cell counts, numbers of lymphocytes as well as the numbers of T cells and their CD4 and CD8 subsets were within normal range in both patient groups. The absolute number of B cells was slightly decreased in cuprophane-membrane- but not polysulfone-membrane-treated patients. The proliferative response of T lymphocytes after stimulation with optimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was normal in patients treated with 'high-flux' membrane dialysis but significantly reduced in those treated with cuprophane membranes. The generation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor on T lymphocytes after PHA stimulation was normal in the polysulfone-membrane-treated group and slightly impaired in the cuprophane-membrane-dialyzed patients. Production of both IL-2 and interleukin-1, as well as the natural killer cell activity, in patients treated by 'high-flux' membrane dialysis were also comparable to controls. The levels of serum beta 2-microglobulin were significantly elevated in patients-maintained on 'high-flux' dialysis membranes but did not reach the levels seen in patients dialyzed by cuprophane membranes. The beta 2-microglobulin at levels seen in patients on cuprophane dialysis had no effects on activation and proliferation of control lymphocytes in vitro. These results suggest that impaired functional responses of T lymphocytes seen in end-stage disease patients on prolonged hemodialysis with cuprophane membranes are not seen in similar patients hemodialyzed with polysulfone membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czarnecki
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Eisinger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raska
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raskova
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013450:Sulfones; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013450:Sulfones; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C017662:polysulfone P 1700; D002482:Cellulose; C009865:cuprammonium cellulose