DEPRESSED POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL CYTO-TOXIC FUNCTIONS OF T-CELLS AND NATURAL-KILLER CELLS DURING CHRONIC-HEMODIALYSIS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (6) , 288-294
Abstract
The cytotoxic capacities of T lymphocytes and natural killed (NK) cells and the phagocytic functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were determiend in a group of 20 patients with end stage renal disease who were being maintained on hemodialysis. The mononuclear cells from these patients were able to mediate normal T-cytotoxic functions in a xenogeneic cell-mediated lympholysis assay and normal NK cytotoxic capacity when tested against K562 target cells. Polymorphonuclear functions in these patients were severely impaired. The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in dark formazan (NBT test) and the direct phagocytosis of 2 pyogenic strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium) were equally and deeply depressed in almost all patients. This defect was not restored either by 4 h of hemodialysis or by 12 mo. of treatment. A major role for a defect of polymorphonuclear cell functions in the depressed defense of patients on chronic hemodialysis against infections was confirmed.