LYMPHOCYTE TRANSFORMATION TESTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EXTRACORPOREAL IRRADIATION OF THE BLOOD

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Abstract
The lymphocyte responsiveness before, during and after extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) has been investigated in 12 patients by means of lymphocyte transformation tests. Three kinds of stimulating agents were used: allogeneic cells in mixed cultures, tuberculin‐purified protein derivative and phytohemag‐glutinin. Before ECIB the blast cell transformation of lymphocytes in urernic patients was identical to that of normal controls, per unit number of cells. The response per unit number of lymphocytes after stimulation with allogeneic cells and purified tuberculin was reduced significantly during ECIB but was normalized at the end of and after ECIB. The response after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin was unchanged, during as well as after ECIB. These results are compatible with the following hypothesis. The reduced immunological function of lymphocytes during ECIB is due to an accumulation of irradiation‐damaged lymphocytes in the blood. After cessation of ECIB these partially damaged cells are cleared from the blood. The fraction of thymic‐dependent, small lymphocytes left in the peripheral blood is therefore the same as before ECIB, although the total number is reduced.