OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of lymphocyte count in assessing cellular immune function in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

METHODSNinety-three patients with community-acquired pneumonia (including 53 non-severe and 40 severe cases) and 52 healthy adults were examined for routine blood test and T lymphocyte count. Blood lymphocyte counts and absolute T lymphocyte counts were compared among the 3 groups and their correlation was analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control subjects, patients with community-acquired pneumonia showed significantly lower blood lymphocyte counts and CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) levels (P<0.05). CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) levels were positively correlated with blood lymphocyte counts. With blood lymphocyte count as the independent variable (L), and the regression equations for CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) levels were CD3(+)=485.45L+313.48 (F=59.68, P<0.01), CD4(+)=192.57L+290.11 (F=24.62, P<0.01), and CD8(+)=275.14L+18.04 (F=23.46, P<0.01) in the control group; CD3(+)=564.15L+25.04 (F=96.56, P<0.01), CD4(+)=381.91L-37.45 (F=68.60, P<0.01), and CD8(+)=165.61L+61.83 (F=55.47, P<0.01) in non-severe pneumonia group; and CD3(+)=565.44L+49.09 (F=31.87, P<0.01), CD4(+)=332.34L-17.37 (F=43.64, P<0.01), and CD8(+)=223.46L+54.39 (F=13.90, P<0.01) in severe pneumonia group.

CONCLUSIONPatients with community-acquired pneumonia have decreased cellular immune function. Absolute T lymphocyte count can be estimated by blood lymphocyte count to save the cost of laboratory tests.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Community-Acquired Infections ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Pneumonia ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study cellular and humoral immune status on prophase of severe hepatitis B (PSHB).

METHODS56 cases of PSHB patients, 40 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 20 cases of healthy volunteers were enrolled for detection of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD3-/CD19+ (B cells) lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum IgG and complement C3 was detected by immunoturbidimetry and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSCompared with CHB group and healthy control group, percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD8+ were significantly lower in PSHB group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). While the percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD4+ and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in PSHB group was obviously higher than those in CHB group (P < 0.+01 or P < 0.05). In addition, There was no significant difference on the percentage of B cell and level of serum IgG between PSHB group and CHB group (P > 0.05, while the level of serum complement C3 in PSHB group were significantly lower than those in CHB group and healthy control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPSHB has a certain degree of cellular immune dysfunction, which characterized by cellular immune function hyperfunction and humoral immune suppression.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Complement C3 ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

The study was aimed to investigate the changes of T-cell subgroups in the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and the relationships between these changes and the pathogenesis of AA and the immunosuppressive therapeutic effects in AA, in order to provide a basis for selecting rational therapy of AA patients. T-cell subtype and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cell in the PB of 88 AA patients which had been diagnosed clearly and given conventional therapy or conventional therapy combined with immunotherapy were analyzed by tri-colour fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibody and using multiparameter flow cytometry. The patients with AA were divided into normal type of ratio, inverted type of ratio, hypernormal type of ratio according to the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cell in normal group, and then the relations of these subtype with patients' conditions and therapeutic effects were investigated. The results showed that the percentage of normal type of ratio in all patients was 39.8%, the percentage of inverted type of ratio in all patients was 44.3%, The percentage of hypernormal type of ratio in all patients was 15.9%. In the conventional therapy alone, there was no significant difference on therapeutic effects among these three immunological subtypes. In combined immunotherapy, total therapeutic efficacy of AA patients with inverted type of ratio and AA patients with immunologic abnormality (inverted type + hypernormal type) was 84.2% and 82.6% respectively, which were more than that in conventional therapy (45.5% and 42.8%) (p < 0.05). Total therapeutic efficacy in these patients was better than that in AA patients with normal type. It is concluded that significant abnormal ratios of CD4+/CD8+ exist in the majority of AA patients, abnormal ratios of CD4+/CD8+ both may be showed as increase or decrease, immunologic abnormality may play a role in pathogenesis of the patients with AA. The detection of PB T-cell subtype in patients with aplastic anemia contributes to evaluation of patients' condition and choice of rational treatment prescription, and enhancement of diagnostic level and therapeutic efficacy significantly, which is an important indicator for therapeutic strategy also.
Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

Dendritic cells (DC) are now recognized as the most potent professional antigen presenting cells (APC). Several studies on cancer immunotherapy using different approaches to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vivo recognizing tumor-associated antigens have been reported. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy in vivo may be limited by the local or systemic suppression of CTL generation or function. To explore the ability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated human monocyte-derived DC involved in activity of autologous CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, HLA-A2 restricted p53(264 - 272) peptide was used as tumor antigen, DC generated with LPS (DC-LPS(+)) or without LPS (DC-LPS(-)) were co-cultured with autologous T cells respectively. The results showed that CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell population in the DC-LPS(+) activated T cells was lower than that in the DC-LPS(-) activated T cells. This finding suggest that the relationship between DC-LPS(+) and population of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells exists and this property may contribute to regulation of T cell responses to tumor-associated antigens.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Monocytes ; cytology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology

To investigate the immune regulatory effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on alloantigen T lymphocyte in vitro, human MSCs were isolated and expanded from bone marrow cells, and identified with cell morphology, and the phenotypes were assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. As the stimulation factor of T lymphocytes proliferation, either PHA or dendritic cells isolated from cord blood were cocultured with CD2(+) T lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by magnetic beads with or without MSC in 96-well plats for seven days. T cell proliferation was assessed by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation using a liquid scintillation counter. T cell subsets, Th1, Th2, Tc1 and Tc2 were analyzed by flow cytometry after co-culture of CD2(+) T cells with MSCs for 10 days. The results showed that a significant decrease of CD2(+) T cell proliferation was evident when MSC were added back to T cells stimulated by DC or PHA, and an increase of Th2 and Tc2 subsets were observed after co-culture of MSC with T lymphocytes. It is suggested that allogeneic MSC can suppress T cell proliferation in vitro and the cause of that was partly depend on interaction of cells and the alteration of T cell subsets.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; CD2 Antigens ; immunology ; Cell Communication ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVESTo observe the changes of serum interleukins (IL), T-lymphocyte subsets, and white blood cell (WBC) count in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to investigate the relationship between injured immune function, immune response and disturbed immune adjustment in SARS patients.

METHODSThe levels of serum IL-2, IL-10, IL-12 and T-lymphocyte subset counts were measured in 35 clinically diagnosed SARS patients by using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The relationship between the measured results and WBC count was further analyzed.

RESULTSThe level of serum IL was increased to a great extent in the 35 SARS patients, and the levels of serum IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 were 242.53 (92.69) pg/ml, 77.43 (63.37) pg/ml and 65.94 (43.21) pg/ml, respectively. The level of serum IL-2 increased markedly (P < 0.01). The peripheral blood CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were lower than normal in 23 patients (67.7%), 26 patients (74.3%) and 15 patients (42.9%), respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were lower than 4.0 x 10(9)/L in 10 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 583.90 (315.58) x 10(6)/L, 272.00 (94.13) x 10(6)/L and 209.00 (72.21) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were (4.0 - 10.0) x 10(9)/L in 20 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 700.00 (502.96) x 10(6)/L, 347.00 (247.58) x 10(6)/L and 322.05 (228.47) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were higher than 10.0 x 10(9)/L in 5 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 1466.00 (630.86) x 10(6)/L, 783.00 (311.14) x 10(6)/L and 640.00 (294.40) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The decreased CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were consistent with the decreased WBC counts. The level of IL in SARS patients was significantly higher than that in patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum IL is closely related to cell immunity in SARS patients. The level of serum IL is increased evidently while CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts decrease. Both serum IL and CD are associated with injury of immune function, and thus they could be regarded as a monitoring index for judging the condition of SARS patients and prescribing immune therapy.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukins ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy on chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency syndrome treated with acupuncture at selective time and explore the effect mechanism.

METHODSEighty patients were randomized into a selective-time-acupuncture group and an acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one. Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected in the two groups. In the selective-time-acupuncture group, acupuncture was used at 9:00am to 11:00am. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was used at any time except in the range from 9:00am to 11:00am. No any manipulation was applied after the arrival of needling sensation. The treatment was given once every day, 10 day treatment made one session and two sessions of treatment were required. The fatigue scale was adopted to evaluate the efficacy before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The ratios among CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood were detected before ad b a after treatment.

RESULTSIn the acupuncture group, the total score of fatigue and the score of physical fatigue were reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05). In the selective-time -acupuncture group, the total score of fatigue, the s core of physical fatigue and the score of mental fatigue after treatment were reduced obviously as compared with those hefore treatment (all P<0. 01). The improvements in the scores of the selective-time-acupuncture group were superior to the acupuncture group (all P<0. 05). The ratio of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells was increased obviously after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 05) and the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was reduced obviously in the selective-time-acupuncture group (P<0. 05), which was better than that in the acupuncture group (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the selective-time-acupuncture group, which was better than 80.0% (32/40) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture therapy at selective time is effective in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency syndrome, which is especially better at relieving mental fatigue. The effect of this therapy is achieved probably by improving the immune function via the regulation of the ratios among CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; immunology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the characteristics of immunocompetent cells in peripheral blood on prophase of severe hepatitis B (PSHB).

METHODS48 cases of PSHB patients, 35 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 20 cases of healthy volunteers were enrolled for detection of CD3+, CD3+/ CD4+, CD3+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD25+/CD45+ lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. The absolute numbers of each lymphocyte subset were calculated and analyzed statistically. Results Compared with CHB group and healthy control group, The absolute numbers of circulating CD3+, CD8+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly lower in PSHB group( P < 0. 01 or P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on the absolute numbers of circulating CD4+ T cells between PSHB group and CHB group (P > 9.05), while the percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD4+ in PSHB group was significantly higher than that in CHB group (P < 0.05). In addition, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in PSHB were significantly higher than those in the CHB group and healthy control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPSHB has a certain degree of cellular immune dysfunction, which characterized by CD4+ T cells dominated and the decline of absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ Tregs.

Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to set up an approach for expansion of the peripheral blood gammadeltaT cells from normal subjects in order to explore the characteristics of gammadeltaT cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were separated from 5 - 10 ml peripheral blood and stimulated by the low molecular peptide derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb-Ag), and expanded in rIL-2-containing medium. The relative amount of gammadeltaT cells were measured by anti TCR gammadelta-PE staining and flow cytometry. The Cytotoxicity were detected by gammadeltaT assay. The results showed that after stimulation and expansion for 10 days, gammadeltaT cells increased to 69.2% of the total PBMNC and demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against K562 cells. In conclusion, this is a simple, rapid and specific method for expansion of peripheral blood gammadeltaT cells in vitro.
Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; analysis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology