We report a case of classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a 67-year-old man, who had multiple cutaneous lesions of the feet and left hand as well as an internal involvement of the stomach. The histopathologic findings showed typical features of KS as a mid-dermal tumor composed of vascular proliferations, vascular slits, spindle cells, extravasated erythrocytes and deposits of hemosiderin. Analysis of T-cell subpopulations showed decreased T4 lymphocytes and in-creased T8 lymphocytes; the ratio of T4M lymphocytes was decreased. Natural killer cell activity was also decreased. These findings suggest a possible relationship between immunological abnormalities and the pathogenesis of this disease. The patient's serum was negative for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HM). This report describes a case of classic KS with immunological abnormalities and internal involvement and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.
Aged ; Antibodies ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Erythrocytes ; Foot ; Hand ; Hemosiderin ; HIV ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Lymphocytes ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Stomach ; T-Lymphocytes

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in pediatric patients with chronic active EBV (CAEBV) infection.

METHODFlow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood NK, B, T lymphocyte subsets and the functional, regulatory, naïve, memory and activatory subsets of T lymphocytes in 10 pediatric patients with CAEBV infection, 13 pediatric patients with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection (AEBV) and 12 healthy children in our hospital between March 2004 and April 2008.

RESULTCompared with AEBV group, the number of white blood cells [3325 x 10(6)/L (median, just the same as the following)], lymphocytes (1078 x 10(6)/L), NK cells (68 x 10(6)/L), B cells (84 x 10(6)/L), total T cells (684 x 10(6)/L), CD4+ T cells (406 x 10(6)/L) and CD8+ T cells (295 x 10(6)/L) in CAEBV patients were lower (P<0.05). The functional subset of the CD4+ T cells in CAEBV group (94.5%) was lower than those of the healthy control group (98.7%) (P<0.05), but was still higher than those of AEBV group (74.0%) (P<0.05). While the functional subset of the CD8+ T cells in CAEBV (40.7%) was not dramatically different from the healthy control group (48.3%), but was still higher than that of AEBV group (21.0%) (P<0.05). Although the regulatory subset in CAEBV group (5.0%) was higher than the health control group (4.6%) (P<0.05), but lower than AEBV group (5.8%) (P<0.05). In CAEBV, the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ naïve T cells (32.3%/37.5%) was lower than that of normal group (58.3%/56.6%) (P<0.05), but the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ effective memory T cells in CAEBV group (23.9%/15.1%) was lower than that in AEBV group (36.5%/69.8%) (P<0.05), while the proportion of CD8+ fake naïve T cells in CAEBV (17.5%) was higher than the other 2 groups (P<0.05). The CD8+ activatory subset in CAEBV group (84.4%/34.0%) was higher than that of the healthy control group (44.1%/16.7%) (P<0.05), but still lower than AEBV group (96%/95%) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is an imbalance in lymphocyte subsets and disturbance in cellular immunity in CAEBV patients, which may be associated with EBV chronic active infection. Detecting the peripheral haematologic parameters and lymphocyte subsets may be helpful in the diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of CAEBV.

Adolescent ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male

In addition to T cell-dependent (TD) Ab responses, T cells can also regulate T cell-independent (TI) B cell responses in the absence of a specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and antigenic peptide-based interaction between T and B cells. The elucidation of T cells capable of supporting TI Ab responses is important for understanding the cellular mechanism of different types of TI Ab responses. Natural killer T (NKT) cells represent 1 type of helper T cells involved in TI Ab responses and more candidate helper T cells responsible for TI Ab responses may also include γδ T cells and recently reported B-1 helper CD4⁺ T cells. Marginal zone (MZ) B and B-1 cells, 2 major innate-like B cell subsets considered to function independently of T cells, interact with innate-like T cells. Whereas MZ B and NKT cells interact mutually for a rapid response to blood-borne infection, peritoneal memory phenotype CD49d(high)CD4⁺ T cells support natural Ab secretion by B-1 cells. Here the role of innate-like T cells in the so-called TI Ab response is discussed. To accommodate the involvement of T cells in the TI Ab responses, we suggest an expanded classification of TD Ab responses that incorporate cognate and non-cognate B cell help by innate-like T cells.
Antibody Formation* ; Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; B-Lymphocyte Subsets ; B-Lymphocytes ; Classification ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Memory ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; Phenotype ; T-Lymphocytes* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of differential counts and lymphocyte subsets in cancer patients' leukocyte before and after radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From Dec. 1994 to May 1995, the changes of leukocyte and its subsets in 16 patients who received radiotherapy in the Dept. of Radiation Oncology of Dong-A University Hospiatal were investigated. Radiation was delivered from 2700 cGy to 6660 cGy with median dose of 5400 cGy. The results of pre- and post-radiotherapy were analyzed by paired T-test. The results of patients who received < 50 Gy and > or = 50 Gy were analyzed by wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Before and after radiotherapy, there was not any significant differences in the counts of leukocyte, granulocyte and monocyte. A remarkable decrease was noted in lymphocyte counts after radiotherapy(p=0.015). T cells, B cells and natural killer cells were also decreased in number after radiotherapy but it was not significant statistically. T helper cells and T suppressor cells were also decreased in number(p>0.05). The ratio of T helper/suppressor cell was decreased from 1.52 to 1.11 and it was significant statistically(p=0.016). The portion of T suppressor cell among all T cells was increased after radiotherapy (p=0.0195). No significant difference was observed in the analysis of leukocyte and its subsets between patients who reveived < 50 Gy and > or = 50 Gy. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy caused remarkable decrease in lymphocyte count and its subsets. Among all lymphocyte subsets, T helper cell might be the most vulnerable to radiation, considering decreased ratio of T helper/surppressor cell count after radiotherapy.
B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Count ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukocytes ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Monocytes ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy* ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Objective To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the prognosis of disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM)diseases in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)negative patients. Methods Cases of disseminated NTM disease were retrospectively collected in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2012 to October 2018.Clinical manifestations,laboratory findings,treatment,and prognosis of these cases were retrieved from the electronic medical record system. Results Among the 23 HIV negative patients with disseminated NTM disease,21 had underlying diseases,with rheumatoid immune disease(n=7)as the most common one.The main clinical manifestation was fever(n=23).Laboratory tests showed anemia [hemoglobin(85.78±25.47)g/L],hypoalbuminemia [albumin 29(27-32)g/L],elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate [(85.73±43.78)mm/h] and hypersensitive C-reactive protein [(112.00±70.90)mg/L],and reduction of lymphocyte count [0.69(0.29-2.10)×10 /L].Lymphocyte subset analysis indicated reduction in CD4 T cells [213(113-775)/μl],CD8 T cells [267(99-457)/μl],B cells [39(4-165)/μl],and NK cells [88(32-279)/μl] and elevation of human leukocyte antigen-D related(HLA-DR),and CD38 expression in CD8 T cells [HLA-DR CD8 /CD8 ,60(40-68)%;CD38 CD8 /CD8 ,81(65-90)%].The most common species of NTM was Mycobacterium intracellular(n=6).Lymphocyte,CD8 T cell,B cell,and NK cell counts were significantly lower in dead patients than surviving patients(P =0.045,P=0.045,P=0.032,and P=0.010,respectively). Conclusions Disseminated NTM disease in HIV negative patients is mainly manifested as fever,anemia,hypoalbuminemia,and elevated inflammatory indicators.It is more likely to occur in immunocompromised patients.Patients with decreased lymphocytes,CD8 T cells,B cells and NK cells tend to have a poor prognosis.
Anemia ; B-Lymphocytes ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Fever ; HIV Seronegativity ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

The study was purposed to explore the changes of CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells in patients with multiple myeloma before and (MM) after treatment with thalidomide so as to provide evidences for effective immunotherapy. The population of CD3(+) T, CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T, NK and CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg in patients with MM were detected by flow cytometry. Statistical significance of differences in different groups was determined by using the t test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. The results showed that the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+ high) T in patients with MM was significantly higher than that of the healthy donors (p > 0.01). The population of CD4(+)CD25(+ high) Treg cells in patients with response to thalidomide was significantly decreased (p < 0.01), but the population of these cells in patients without response not changed significantly (p > 0.05), as compared with patients before treatment. In 16 patients who achieved complete remission after chemotherapy, the population of CD4(+)CD25(+ high) T was 6.91 +/- 1.12%, which was slightly higher than that before treatment. The population of CD3(+) T, CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T, NK and CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg significantly increased in patients with positive response to thalidomide, but the population of CD8(+) T remained unchanged. It is concluded that the significant increase of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with MM is concerned with the MM pathogenesis; thalidomide may exert its anti-MM effects by down-regulating CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDVery few researchers have studied the changes in peripheral lymphocyte patterns in adult tuberculosis (TB) and even less researches have been conducted in pediatric TB. In this study, we obtained blood samples from 114 Chinese pediatric TB patients and 116 matched controls to study the association of phenotypic subsets of peripheral lymphocytes with different clinical phenotypes of TB.

METHODSThe subjects were classified as the control group and the TB patients group which were further divided into a pulmonary TB group and an extra-pulmonary TB group (more serious than the former). The distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations, including T lymphocytes, CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD8(+) T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells, were quantitatively analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared to the healthy controls, TB infection was associated with significantly higher B cell (P < 0.0001), and lower T cell (P = 0.029) and NK cell (P < 0.0001) percentages. Compared to pulmonary TB patients, extra-pulmonary TB was associated with relatively higher B cell (P = 0.073), and lower T cell percentages (P = 0.021), higher purified protein derivative (PPD) negative rate (P = 0.061), and poorer PPD response (P = 0.010). Most pulmonary TB cases were primary pulmonary TB (89.1%), and most extra-pulmonary TB cases had TB meningitis (72.1%).

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrates changes in the lymhocyte distribution in children suffering from different clinical phenotypes of TB; such as primary pulmonary TB, and TB meningitis. These patterns may have significance in understanding the pathogenesis and prognostic markers of the disease, and for developing immunomodulatory modalities of therapy.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Infant ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Tuberculosis ; immunology

OBJECTIVES: Chronic asthma has a number of characteristic feature; the increased airway responsiveness and bronchial inflammation. Although these mechanisms are not clear, activated T-cell has had an important role in migration and activation of inflammatory cells. In order to evaluate the role of T-lymphocyte and T-cell subsets in the development of asthmatic symptoms and the posibility for predicting the therapeutic response, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage from asymptomatic and symptomatic asthmatic subjects and inflammatory cell count, T-cell subset, activated T-lymphocyte were analysed and they were compared with healthy controls. METHOD: 76 bronchial asthmatics and 54 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Asthmatic patients were classified into symptomatic and asymptomatic group according to symptom severity. Symptomatic group was divided into two groups according to therapeutic response ; early responder(ER) and late responder(LR). Lymphocytes(T-lymphocytes subsets and activation marker) in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) cells were analyzed using a flow-cytometry. RESULTS: The counts of eosinophil and neutrophil in BAL fluid were significantly higher in both asymptomatic and symptomatic asthmatic patient than those of healthy controls (p<0.05). The number of T3, T4, and T8 lymphocytes were significantly higher in symptomatic asthmatic patient than those of healthy controls, and the counts of T3-IL2R+, T4-IL2R+, and T8-IL3R+ lymphocytes were significantly higher in symptomatic subsets than in healthy controls(p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the number of lymphocyte, eosinophil and neutrophil between the ER and LR of symptomatic patients(p>0.05), the numbers of T3 and T4 lymphocyte subsets were significantly higher in LR than in healthy controls, and the number of T3-IL2R+, T4-IL2R+ lymphocytes were significantly higher in ER than in healthy controls(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We could conclude that the infiltration and activation of T-lymphocytes might be associated with the development of asthmatic symptoms and responsiveness to therapy.
Asthma ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Cell Count ; Emigration and Immigration ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; T-Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND: Quantitative analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets is used to assess immune competency. Traditionally, T-lymphocyte subset analysis has been performed using flow cytometry, which requires complex instrumentation and relatively skilled manual operation. We evaluated the performance of an automated haematology analyser, the CELL-DYN Sapphire (CD Sapphire; Abbott Laboratories, USA) for T-lymphocyte subset analysis. METHODS: The precision and linearity obtained using the CD Sapphire was evaluated. T-lymphocyte subsets in blood samples from 120 patients were quantified using CD Sapphire and flow cytometry (Cytomics FC 500; Beckman-Coulter, France). The time required for complete T cell subset analysis using both methods was also evaluated. RESULTS: Results of CD Sapphire-based quantitation of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ cells showed intra-assay CV of less than 5% for precision and displayed linearity in the ranges of 84 to 5364, 41 to 2615, and 44 to 2800 cells/microL, respectively. There was good correlation among the CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ cell counts as well as in the CD4/CD8 ratio (r=0.987, 0.982, 0.982, and 0.980, respectively) using CD Sapphire and flow cytometry. The mean turnaround time for the CD Sapphire (10.0+/-0.5 minutes) was significantly less than that for flow cytometry (111.8+/-8.4 minutes, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: T cell subset analysis using the CD Sapphire gives excellent performance and consistent results that correlate well with those obtained by flow cytometry. We conclude that this time-efficient method can replace conventional flow cytometric methods used for measuring T cell subsets.
Aluminum Oxide* ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Cell Count ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets*

The depressed cell-mediated immunity in pregnant women may play an important role inthe protection of the fetus from rejection by the mother. In this of view, many studieshave been performed to evaluated of lymphocyte subsets in recurrent spontaneous abortionwomen. However, because of the discordance in published data, auther have reevaluatedperipheral blood T-lymphocyte, B-lymphocyte and subsets defined by monoclonal antibodieswith immunobead method for 37 recurrent spontaneous abortion women and 30 normal healthywomen.The results were as follows. No significant difference was observed in the componentratio of the B cell. The component ratio of T lymphocyte in study group(70.5+/-10.1%) wassignificantly decreased in control group(79.7+/-3.1%)(p < 0.001). The component ratio of Nullcell in study group(19.0+/-10.1%) was higher than control group(9.4+/-2.6%)(p < 0.001). In thecomponent ratio of T4 cell, no statistically difference were observed in both groups. In thecomponent ratio of T8 cell, study group(28.4+/-9.5%) was significantly lower than controlgroup(38.4+/-3.2%)(p < 0.001). T4/ T8 ratio in the study group(1.58+/-0.70%)was significantly higher than control group(1.09+/-0.14%)(p < 0.001).In the component ratio of T/B cell, no statistically differences were observed.In conclusion, decreased T8 cell component ratio and increased T4/T8 component ratio may be play an important role in recurrent spontaneous abortion.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; B-Lymphocytes* ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Lymphocytes ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; T-Lymphocytes*