FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS AFTER THERMAL-INJURY IN HUMAN-BEINGS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 159  (1) , 1-8
Abstract
Several theories have been advanced to explain immunologic suppression after thermal injury, i.e., monocyte production of immunoregulatory prostaglandins, activation of suppressor cells, production of suppressive serum factors and alteration in helper cell function. Cytofluorometric analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from 30 severely burned individuals using a FACS [fluorescence activated cell sorter] IV cell sorter. Fluorescein labeled monoclonal antibodies were used to phenotype total T cells (OKT3+), helper cells (OKT-4+), suppressor cells (OKT-8+), monocytes (anti-mono.2+) and B cells (anti-Ia+). After burn injury, the most striking phenotypic alterations observed were a marked decrease in the number and percentage of total OKT3+ T cells and OKT4+ helper cells. No significant increases were observed in the OKT8+ suppressor cell subpopulation. Monocytes exhibited a transitory increase during the 1st 48 h post-burn which returned to normal by post-burn day 7. The percentage of Ia+ cells were normal or decreased in number during the course of the injury. An OKT-4 to OKT-8 ratio of < 1.00 at 24-48 h post-burn may represent a reliable predictive index for death by sepsis. The syndrome of burn induced immunologic suppression may be better described as a burn-induced immunodeficiency syndrome that is characterized by decreased numbers or function of interleukin-2 producing helper cells, or both.