title: Effect of radiation therapy and in vitro x-ray exposure on lymphocyte subpopulations and their functions.
abstract: Radiation treatment of breast cancer patients (45.0 Gy) profoundly affected the peripheral blood lymphocytes. The number of these cells was markedly reduced with non-T-cells being more extensively depleted than T-cells immediately after radiation. The long-lasting lymphopenia, on the other hand, was mainly due to reduced number of T-cells. Antigen and mitogen stimulability, MLC reactivity, pokeweed (PWM)-induced immunoglobulin (Ig) production in vitro, and different cytotoxic functions decreased. Depletion of lymphocytes largely restored the radiation-depressed lymphocyte reactivity. The effects of in vitro exposure of blood lymphocytes to x-rays were similar to those seen after radiotherapy. Non-T-cells and T-cells with Fc-receptors for IgG were relatively radiosensitive. This latter observation agreed well with demonstrated increase of PWM-induced Ig synthesis after in vitro exposure to x-rays. T-suppressor cells defined by monoclonal antibodies were, however, radioresistant. The cytotoxic functions were reduced. No correlations were found between the pretreatment immunological status or the extent of radiation-induced immunological suppression, respectively, and prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / Q000528:radiation effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000528:radiation effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic