Short-term effect of erythropoietin on T-cell mitogenic proliferation in chronic renal failure patients.
Uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are known to be highly susceptible to infections. Recent data indicate that in addition to its well-known stimulating effects on red cell production, erythropoietin (EPO) may also have immunomodulating properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of EPO on lectin-induced T-lymphocyte transformation in uremic patients, as part of its effect on the immune response. Sixteen HD patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were compared before and after 6 and 20 weeks of EPO treatment. T lymphocytes were analyzed for their mitogenic activity following treatment with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (CON A) and anti-CD3 by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation. HD patients showed reduced mitogenic responses to all mitogens tested, compared to healthy controls. During the 6 weeks of EPO administration, a significant increase in T-lymphocyte activity could be demonstrated following exposure to all three mitogens (PHA, from 32 +/- 2 to 45 +/- 8; CON A, from 11 +/- 3 to 25 +/- 9; anti-CD3, from 11 +/- 3 to 22 +/- 5, means +/- SD). This increase was augmented after 5 months of EPO treatment. We conclude therefore that EPO improves in vitro T-cell mitogenic proliferation, even after short periods of treatment.
Eliachar Research Laboratory and Renal Unit, Western Galilee Regional Hospital, Nahariya, Israel.
R
R
Shurtz-Swirski
B
B
Kristal
T
T
Shkolnik
I
I
Weissman
G
G
Shapiro
S M
SM
Shasha
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014170:Transformation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014511:Uremia
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008934:Mitogens; D004921:Erythropoietin; D013936:Thymidine