DYNAMICS OF T-LYMPHOCYTE SUB-POPULATIONS AND T-LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION FOLLOWING THERMAL INJURY

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (2) , 291-297
Abstract
T[thymus-derived] lymphocyte function was evaluated in relation to the numbers of T cells present in patients that had sustained major thermal injury. The dynamics of total T cells and the T cell subpopulation that formed active E [erythrocyte] rosettes in separated cell populations were also studied. Within 10 days of injury a significant depression of T cell numbers in separated cell populations occurred, which was paralleled by a decrease in T cell function. The immunosuppression that has been observed in burn patients appear to have been related to decreases in the numbers of T cells, rather than to any dysfunction at the level of the individual T cells. Although T cell numbers remained depressed, in some patients mitogen responses returned to very high levels, suggesting that a highly responsive T cell subpopulation was selected or that there was a depletion of suppressor cells. In patients that survived there was a gradual return of T lymphocyte numbers to normal levels. The decreases in the total T cell population were accompanied by a depletion of the T cells that formed active (37.degree. C stable) rosettes. The recovery of normal T cell numbers was accompanied by a disproportionate increase in active rosette-forming cells. The high numbers of active rosettes during the recruitment of new T cells suggested that this T cell subpopulation may represent the recent arrival of these cells in the peripheral blood from the precursor pools.