OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between CD14 gene polymorphism and T cell-mediated immunity in severely burned patients.

METHODSThe blood samples of 77 patients with extensive burn injury (> 30% total body surface area) were collected, and CD14-159C/T gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). T lymphocyte cell proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production were determined, and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocyte as well as apoptosis of CD4(+) T lymphocyte was examined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe ability of T lymphocyte proliferation was obviously decreased in severely burned patients. Compared with CC homozygote patients, proliferative activity of T lymphocyte to mitogen stimulation was significantly depressed in TT and TC patients on post burn days 5, 21, and 28 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). IL-2 production in TT, TC patients was constantly in low level after burns, while it was increased from post burn day 14 in CC patients. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocytes was markedly decreased in TC, TT patients than that in CC patients, especially on post burn days 1, 3, 14, 21, and 28 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, compared with CC homozygote patients, the apoptosis rates of CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes were much higher in TT patients on post burn days 5, 7, and 21 (P < 0.05), and in TC patients on days 7, 14 (P < 0.05), respectively. However, no obvious differences in parameters of immune function of T lymphocytes were found between TT and TC patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCD14-159C/T polymorphism could influence the T cell-mediated immunity in extensively burned patients, which might participate in the development of septic complications secondary to major burns.