Imbalances within the peripheral blood T-helper (CD4+) and T-suppressor (CD8+) cell populations in the reconstitution phase after human bone marrow transplantation.
Peripheral blood T cell subsets were evaluated in 11 patients during the reconstitution phase after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and compared with 11 age-matched controls. The proportion of cells coexpressing Leu7 and CD11b (C3bi receptor) markers was determined within the CD4+ (T-helper) and the CD8+ (T-suppressor) subsets by two-color immunofluorescence analysis. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells reached normal or near-normal values within the first year posttransplant. In contrast to normal controls, however, most of the cells in both subsets coexpressed the Leu7 and CD11b markers. T cells with such phenotype display the morphological features of granular lymphocytes (GLs) and a functional inability to produce interleukin 2 (IL 2). These T cell imbalances were not related to graft v host disease (GvHD) or to clinically detectable virus infections and may account for some defects of cellular and humoral immunity that occur after bone marrow transplantation.
Velardi
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
Terenzi
A
A
Cucciaioni
S
S
Millo
R
R
Grossi
C E
CE
Grignani
F
F
Martelli
M F
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000473:pathology*
D007376:Interleukin-2