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PubMedDate not supplied

Neurobehavioral, autonomic nervous function and lymphocyte subsets among aluminum electrolytic workers.

The purpose of our study is to determine the alteration of neurobehavioral parameters, autonomic nervous function and lymphocyte subsets in aluminum electrolytic workers of long-term aluminum exposure. 33 men who were 35.16 +/- 2.95 (mean +/- S.D) years old occupationally exposed to aluminum for 14.91 +/- 6.31 (mean +/- S.D) years. Air Al level and urinary aluminum concentration was measured by means of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Normal reference group were selected from a flour plant. Neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) recommended by WHO was utilized. Autonomic nervous function test battery recommended by Ewing DJ was conducted on subjects. FAC SCAN was used to measure the lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood. The mean air aluminum level in the workshop was 6.36 mg/m3, ranged from 2.90 to 11.38 mg/m3. Urinary aluminum of the Al electrolytic workers (40.08 +/- 9.36 microgram/mg.cre) was obviously higher than that of control group (26.84 +/- 8.93 m/mg.cre). Neurobehavioral results showed that the scores of DSY, PAC and PA in Al electrolytic workers were significantly lower than those of control group, The score of POMSC, POMSF and SRT among Al exposed workers were significantly augmented in relation to those of control group. Autonomic nervous function test results showed that R-R interval variability of maximum ratio of immediately standing up in Al electrolytic workers were decreased compare with the control group, while the BP-IS, HR-V, HR-DB, R30:15 had no significant change. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets test showed that CD4-CD8+ T lymphocyte in Al electrolytic workers increased. This study suggests that Al exposure exerts adverse effects on neurobehavioral performance, especially movement coordination and negative mood, and parasympathetic nervous function; moreover it increase CD4-CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Lymphocyte subset reference ranges in healthy Saudi Arabian children.

In an attempt to establish the reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in children, the distribution of lymphocyte population-bearing surface markers such as CD3 (T cells), CD19 (B cells), CD4 (T helper/inducer cells), CD8 (T suppressor/cytotoxic cells), and CD16 and/or CD56 on CD3- cells (NK cells) has been studied among healthy Saudi Arabian infants and children. Normal adult blood donors were used for comparison. Anticoagulated peripheral blood was stained with monoclonal antibodies and the lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of the above markers. Absolute and percentage values for most lymphocyte populations differed substantially not only between children and adults but also among children from different age groups. Absolute numbers of all the lymphocyte subsets decreased with age from 1 month to 13 years; the median value declined from 4.1 to 1.9 (T cells), 1.6 to 0.6 (B cells), 0.5 to 0.3 (NK cells), 2.7 to 1.0 (CD4+ T cells) and 1.5 to 0.8 x 10(3) cells/mm3 (CD8+ T cells). HLA-DR+ T cell counts changed significantly from 0.3 to 0.2 x 10 (3) cells/mm3 during the same age period. In contrast, the lymphocyte percentage increased in all the subsets except B cells and CD4+ T cells with time. The percentage values increased from 66 to 74 (T cells), 8 to 11 (NK cells), 23 to 39 (CD8+ T cells) and 4 to 9 (HLA-DR+ T cells). The values changed from 24 to 12 and 46 to 39 for B cells and CD4+ T cells, respectively, with age from 1 month to 13 years. The variations in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells resulted in a decrease in CD4+/CD8+ ratio from 2.0 to 1.1 with age. These data should be useful as reference values for lymphocyte subsets in various diseases of infants and children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Clinical profiles of circulating dendritic cell phenotype and lymphocyte subsets in patients chronically infected with HBV during lamivudine treatment].

BACKGROUND: To investigate the changes of circulating dendritic cell (DC) and lymphocytes subsets in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine. METHODS: Sixteen chronic hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine were included and followed up for 48 weeks in this study. Before and during lamivudine treatment, DC collected from peripheral blood sample was cultured in vitro and surface markers of DC and lymphocytes subsets were detected by flow cytometry simultaneously. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients, 11 were consistently HBV DNA negative in serum and HBV DNA YMDD variants appeared in 5 cases. In the consistent responder group, HLA-DR level of DC decreased transiently in 12 weeks and recovered in 48 weeks (P<0.05). At 48 weeks CD80, CD40 and CD1a were improved compared with baseline level (P<0.05). In the YMDD variant group, CD83 and HLA-DR level of DC decreased at 12 weeks treatment (P<0.05) and HLA-DR was still lower compared with baseline (P<0.05). In the consistent responder group, no significant changes occurred in lymphocyte subsets number at 12 weeks treatment, but CD4 + T cell was improved and NK cell dropped at 48 weeks compared with baseline level (P<0.05). In the YMDD variant group lymphocyte subsets had no statistically significant change. CONCLUSION: In the consistent responder group, the expression of surface costimulatory molecules of DC, such as CD80 and CD40,was partly recovered after the virus of hepatitis B had been inhibited efficiently, HLA-DR levels of DC decreased transiently at 12 weeks and recovered in 48 weeks and CD4+ T cell improved and NK cell dropped at 48 weeks. In the YMDD variant group, HLA-DR levels of DC were lower consistently during treatment compared with baseline level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Quality control in the flow cytometric measurement of T-lymphocyte subsets: the multicenter AIDS cohort study experience. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study Group.

Since 1984, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) has utilized four flow cytometry laboratories to measure T-lymphocyte subset levels semiannually in a large cohort of homosexual men. This report summarizes the steps taken in the MACS laboratories to attain comparability of lymphocyte subset determinations across the centers and over time. Identical flow cytometers, monoclonal antibodies, and analytic procedures have been used, and over a period of time, the procedure for sample preparation was also standardized. Interlaboratory proficiency testing utilizing identical specimens analyzed in the four laboratories was performed to evaluate the comparability of the data among the laboratories. Our results verify that such testing can identify technical bias in flow cytometric evaluations performed at different laboratories. Temporal laboratory consistency in flow cytometric measurements was evaluated using data from each site's HIV-seronegative homosexual reference group. Both sequential 95% confidence intervals (mean +/- 2 x SEM) and the within-person standard deviations of the immune measurements were considered. Significant variation in CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocyte subset percentages over time in the seronegative reference population was observed. Our observations indicate that the lymphocyte subset values of this seronegative group should be used to adjust those obtained on the seropositive study participants during a particular time period, thereby allowing improved discrimination of the effects of HIV on T cells in infected individuals. The data presented are of use for designing epidemiologic and intervention studies in HIV-1-infected individuals, especially for calculating sample sizes. The methods we have used to assess the quality of data in the MACS have general application to quality control programs in flow cytometry laboratories. In particular, comparison of sequential confidence intervals and within-person standard deviations for lymphocyte subset determinations on control populations are essential to a comprehensive proficiency testing program because they permit assessment of consistency within a laboratory over time.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Lymphocyte subsets show marked differences in their distribution between blood and the afferent and efferent lymph of peripheral lymph nodes.

The surface phenotypes (CD1, CD4, CD5, CD8, SBU-T19, MHC class I, MHC class II, and sIg) of cells in blood, lymph nodes, and lymph were determined to examine simultaneously the distribution of lymphocyte subsets circulating in blood, afferent lymph, and efferent lymph of a peripheral lymph node. Marked differences in the percentage of certain lymphocyte subsets were apparent within the compartments examined, suggesting that lymphocyte subsets leave the blood with differing efficiencies. Lymphocyte subsets also appeared to be extracted from the blood at different rates by lymph node as opposed to subcutaneous vascular endothelium. Endothelial cells in different vascular beds may express different numbers of molecules complementary to a set of migration-related cell surface molecules specific for each lymphocyte subset. Accordingly, the vascular endothelium would be the key factor in regulating nonrandom cell migration.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Leptin replacement therapy modulates circulating lymphocyte subsets and cytokine responsiveness in severe lipodystrophy.

CONTEXT: We conducted this study to understand the role of leptin therapy in immunomodulation. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study lymphocyte subpopulations and in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) activation during a study evaluating the effects of leptin on metabolic functions in severe lipodystrophy (serum leptin levels < 4 ng/ml). DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted an open-label study with patients serving as their own control at the Clinical Research Center of the National Institutes of Health. PATIENTS: Ten patients (age range, 15-63 yr; one male and nine females) with generalized forms of lipodystrophy were studied. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with recombinant human leptin to achieve high normal concentrations for 4 to 8 months. RESULTS: Leptin levels increased from 1.8 +/- 0.4 to 16.5 +/- 3.9 ng/dl (P < 0.001), whereas metabolic control improved [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) fell from 9.3 +/- 0.4 to 7.1 +/- 1.4%, P < 0.001, and triglycerides decreased by 45 +/- 11% from a mean of 1490 +/- 710 mg/dl, P = 0.001]. Lymphocyte subsets were studied by flow cytometry at baseline and at 4 and 8 months of therapy. PBMC responsiveness was evaluated by cytokine release and proliferation after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, phytohemagglutinin plus IL-12, lipopolysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide plus interferon-gamma at baseline and 4 months. Various T lymphocyte subsets were significantly lower than age- and sex-matched controls at baseline; however, the CD4/CD8 ratio was normal. The relative percentages of B lymphocytes and monocytes were elevated, although the absolute levels were normal. Leptin therapy induced significant changes in T lymphocyte subsets, which normalized both the absolute number of T lymphocyte subsets and relative percentages of all lineages. Additionally, in vitro TNF-alpha secreted from PBMC of patients was significantly increased to normal after 4 months of leptin therapy compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: These data support existing evidence that leptin has a modest immunomodulatory effect in hypoleptinemic humans.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphocyte subsets of the peripheral blood in Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Lymphocyte subsets were determined in the peripheral blood from twenty-three patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and sixteen patients with clinically active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by two-color flowcytometry using various monoclonal antibodies. In both diseases, T-cells (CD3+), suppressor/cytotoxic cells (CD8+) and their cytotoxic subset (CD8+CD11-) were decreased, as compared with thirty-one healthy controls. B-cells (CD 21+ and CD 3-DR+) and activated T-cells (CD 3+DR+) were increased in SS patients. Helper T-cells (CD 4+Leu8-), suppressor-inducer T-cells (CD4+Leu8+), suppressor T-cells (CD8+Leu 15+) and three natural killer (NK) cell subsets determined by both CD16 and Leu7 antibodies did not differ between controls and SS or RA, although Leu7+NK cells were significantly increased in SS patients. In addition, we found that the treatment with low-dose prednisolone decreased B-cells and suppressor-inducer T cells, and increased suppressor T-cells, cytotoxic T-cells and Leu7+NK cells. The results indicate similar changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets and suggest immunologically activated and deficient conditions in both diseases. Immunomodulating effects of the treatment with low-dose prednisolone on some of the lymphocyte subsets in patients with these diseases were also supported by the study.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Impact of splenectomy on circulating T-lymphocyte subsets in stage III gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of splenectomy remains unclear in patients with gastric cancer who undergo total gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of splenectomy on circulating T-lymphocyte subsets and survival in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Analysis of lymphocyte subsets was performed in 40 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III gastric adenocarcinoma located on the upper one-third of the stomach, who underwent a curative total gastrectomy with or without splenectomy. Circulating T-lymphocyte subsets were measured on venous blood by using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies at preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18. RESULTS: The proportion of lymphocytes and the values of CD3, CD8, CD16 and CD25 subsets were higher in the splenectomy group of patients at postoperative month 3. In the spleen preservation group at the same point of treatment, the proportion of granulocytes and the values of CD4 and CD4 : CD8 ratio were higher. Except for CD16 levels, all T-lymphocyte subsets showed no significant difference between splenectomy and spleen preservation groups after postoperative month 3. Increased CD16 levels in the splenectomy group were not associated with improvement in patients' 5-year survival rates. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the long-term impact of splenectomy does not play an important role in postoperative quantitative changes of circulating T-lymphocyte subsets of patients with stage III gastric cancer who have undergone total gastrectomy. Furthermore, splenectomy does not give a prognostic benefit, based on tumour recurrence and survival of patients with proximal one-third gastric cancer who undergo total gastrectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1983

Identification of normal and transformed lymphocyte subsets of nonhuman primates with monoclonal antibodies to human lymphocytes.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that detect specific lymphocyte subsets of man were tested for their reactivity with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and established cell lines of owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) and marmosets (Saguinus spp). Results of these studies showed that certain determinants were conserved and that the pattern of reactivity observed in one genus (or even species) could not be used to predict the reactivity in another. On owl monkey PBL, reactivity equivalent to that on human PBL was observed with OKT11a, anti-Leu 3a, B1, and anti-HLA-DR MAb thus detecting T cell, helper/inducer T cell, B cell, and HLA-DR determinants. After neuraminidase treatment of owl monkey PBL, reactivity with anti-Leu 5 and OKT8 (T cell and suppressor/cytotoxic T cell determinants) was observed. Cell separation experiments indicated these determinants were found on lymphocytes with the same general properties as those of human origin. The use of these MAb to examine owl monkeys infected with Herpesvirus saimiri and tumor cell lines established from H. saimiri-inoculated monkeys revealed that the virus was found in OKT11a-positive, B1-negative cells. In chronically infected nondiseased animals, H. saimiri was found in anti-HLA-DR-negative cells and was restricted to anti-Leu 3a-positive cells (two animals) or was nearly equally distributed in anti-Leu 3a-positive and negative cells (one animal). Established H. saimiri tumor cell lines had the phenotype OKT11 a-positive, anti-HLA-DR-positive, B1-negative and were either anti-Leu 3a-positive or negative. Studies of interleukin 2-responsive tumor cells in short-term culture suggested the tumor was composed of virus-positive anti-Leu 3a-positive and negative populations.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Dynamic changes of T lymphocyte subsets in the long-term follow-up of severe acute respiratory syndrome patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic changes of T lymphocyte subsets in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. METHODS: Sequential anti-coagulated blood samples were collected from 62 seropositive SARS patients during the first week, the second week, the first month, the 2nd-3rd month, and 1 year after disease onset. T-lymphocyte subsets including CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and naive and memory CD4 + T cells were detected by flow cytometry. Samples from 56 healthy blood donors were also detected as healthy controls. RESULTS: A rapid restoration in T-lymphocyte subsets was observed during a short period after infection. During the 2-3 months after disease onset, CD8 + T cell count returned to the normal level. At the same time point, CD4 + T cell and naive CD4 + T cell counts increased to (534 +/- 197)/mm3 and (175 +/- 75)/mm3 respectively. Total lymphocytes, T lymphocyte, CD4 + T and naive CD4 + T cell were still significantly lower than the normal levels even one year after disease onset. CONCLUSION: The periphery T lymphocyte subsets in SARS infection shows transient decrease and then rapid recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Flow cytometry study of lymphocyte subsets in malnourished and well-nourished children with bacterial infections.

Protein-energy malnutrition is the primary cause of immune deficiency in children across the world. It has been related to changes in peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of infection and malnutrition on the proportion of peripheral-lymphocyte subsets in well-nourished non-bacterium-infected (WN), well-nourished bacterium-infected (WNI), and malnourished bacterium-infected (MNI) children by flow cytometry. A prospectively monitored cohort of 15 MNI, 12 WNI, and 17 WN children was studied. All the children were 3 years old or younger and had only bacterial infections. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of T CD3(+) (P < 0.05 for relative and P < 0.03 for absolute values), CD4(+) (P < 0.01 for relative and absolute values), and CD8(+) (P < 0.05 for relative values) lymphocyte subsets in WNI children compared to the results seen with WN children. Additionally, B lymphocytes in MNI children showed significant lower values (CD20(+) P < 0.02 for relative and P < 0.05 for absolute values) in relation to the results seen with WNI children. These results suggest that the decreased proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets observed in WNI children were associated with infection diseases and that the incapacity to increase the proportion of B lymphocyte was associated with malnutrition. This low proportion of B lymphocytes may be associated with the mechanisms involved in the immunodeficiency of malnourished children.

Antigens, CD20↗
PubMed1995

Lymphocyte subset composition in peripheral blood from normal subjects may be influenced by both spleen size and plasma norepinephrine.

The aim of the present study was twofold: (a) to confirm a previously observed negative relationship between plasma catecholamines and the percentage of natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood from resting human subjects, and (b) to examine the relationship between the size of the spleen and the composition of circulating lymphocyte subsets in resting subjects. A total of 14 young healthy male subjects were investigated in a supine resting position. Lymphocyte subset composition was determined with two-colour flow cytometry, and lymphocyte subsets were expressed as percentages of mononuclear cells. Spleen size was evaluated with ultrasonography. Plasma catecholamines were determined. Plasma norepinephrine and the percentage of NK-cells (CD3-CD56+) were negatively correlated (rs = -0.62, p = 0.019). The CD4/CD8 ratio and plasma norepinephrine were positively correlated (rs = 0.57, p = 0.037) and the major part of this correlation was due to a correlation between plasma norepinephrine and the percentage of CD4+ cells. The percentage of NK cells (CD3-CD56+) was predicted by a multiple regression model including the percentage of CD8+ cells and the spleen index, a measure of spleen size (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). The correlation in the resting state between plasma norepinephrine and the percentage of NK cells (negative correlation) on the one hand and the CD4/CD8 ratio (positive correlation) on the other contrasts with the acute mobilizing effects of epinephrine, isoproterenol and exercise on lymphocyte subsets. These relationships remain unexplained, but results accord with the hypothesis that catecholamines may have dual effects on lymphocyte subsets. The results support the view that the spleen may have a depot function for NK cells.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1992

CD5+ B lymphocytes and other lymphocyte subsets in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

CD5+ B cells and other lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), in healthy subjects (HS) and in patients with various control diseases. When compared with HS, patients with pSS were found to have similar levels of CD5+ B cells and decreased levels of CD8+ T cells (P = 0.0003). When compared with patients with various other diseases, however, the number of CD5+ B cells in pSS was more than twice as high (P = 0.0002), whereas no difference was found between numbers of CD8+ T cells. When the number of CD5+ B cells was expressed as a percentage of total B cells, the results obtained were similar to those with absolute numbers. Determination of lymphocyte subsets may be used as a diagnostic aid for Sjögren's syndrome in selected patients with suspected immunological diseases of unknown type.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

T-lymphocyte subsets in recurrent aphthous ulceration.

Peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets: T-helper (OKT4) and T-suppressor (OKT8) cells were studied quantitatively in 20 patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) in ulcerative, as well as inactive, stages of the disease. The figures were compared with T-lymphocyte subsets from matched control donors with no history of RAU. The ratio of T-helper: T-suppressor cells was significantly lower in both stages in the patients compared with controls due to a significantly increased number of T-suppressor cells in RAU patients. The number of T-helper cells in the patients did not differ significantly in either stage compared with controls. The study support the hypothesis of recurrent aphthous ulceration being a disorder of immunodeficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Response of lymphocyte subsets in patients under treatment for tuberculosis.

Thirty-six immunocompetent patients with tuberculosis underwent six sequential measurements of blood lymphocyte subsets after the onset of therapy. Two different responses were observed, depending on each patient's initial lymphocyte count. Patients with initial lymphocytopaenia showed a marked increase in all lymphocyte subpopulations shortly after the initiation of treatment, whereas those without lymphocytopaenia showed a decrease in the cell counts during the initial 2 months, followed by a slow increase during the following 4 months. The lymphocytes as a whole and all lymphocyte subsets showed remarkably parallel curves in each group. These results strongly suggest that the lymphocytic responses to tuberculosis involve all lymphocyte subsets, not only the T or CD4+ lymphocytes as previously thought.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis and lymphocyte subsets.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate and quantitate lymphocyte subsets with clinically diagnosed smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis and severity of disease. DESIGN: Case-control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Military Hospital and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi. 1999-2000. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Freshly diagnosed, well-characterized smear-negative patients (n=15) of pulmonary tuberculosis were selected. Non-induced three-consecutive negative smears of sputum with simultaneous culture for AFB for 6-8 weeks, positive Mauntoux test (Z10 mm), blood complete picture with ESR and chest x-rays were done. Selected panel of monoclonal antibodies against specific CD markers were used. Statistical analysis done by student t-test or Mann-Whitney rank-sum test with the help of Sigma State software. RESULTS: Hemoglobin and total lymphocyte counts were significantly reduced whereas total leukocyte counts with absolute neutrophil counts were increased. Fraction of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes with HLA-DR expression was reduced while no significant change in rest of the TB and NK lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Low hemoglobin level, high neutrophil count and low total lymphocytes suggest possible direct relationship with extent of disease. The number of activated CD4+, CD8+, ab and gd TCR T cells have tendency to increase during Mycobacterium infection. This seems to have a potential of being a good, non-invasive prognostic indicator for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Lymphocyte subsets in Heymann nephritis.

Altered ratios of T lymphocyte subsets have recently been reported in some forms of glomerulonephritis, including membranous glomerulonephritis. Heymann nephritis is a model of membranous glomerulonephritis that can be induced in susceptible strains of rat by a single subcutaneous injection of renal tubular antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant. Monoclonal antibodies were used to identify cytotoxic/suppressor and helper/inducer T cells in the blood, spleen, peripheral lymph nodes, and, where relevant, the lymph node draining the antigen injection site in susceptible and nonsusceptible rat strains before and after immunization with renal tubular antigen. A marked interstrain variation in the proportions of T lymphocyte subsets was found, but this did not segregate strains that are susceptible to Heymann nephritis induction from those that are resistant. Neither the development of Heymann nephritis in susceptible strains or immunization of resistant strains with renal tubular antigen was associated with any specific alteration in the T lymphocyte subpopulations.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Feeder cells enhance oncolytic and proliferative activity of long-term human bone marrow interleukin-2 cultures and induce different lymphocyte subsets.

The effect of feeder cells on oncolytic activity of lymphocyte subsets and their growth was evaluated in long-term human bone marrow interleukin-2 (IL-2) cultures. Two B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (Daudi and Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed BSM) and two human leukemias, AML-M5, were used as feeder cells. The most prominent effects were seen in cultures stimulated with Daudi cells. In these cultures, cytotoxic activity was 100-1000 times increased against a broad range of target cells and the total cellular expansion was more than 40 times higher than in control cultures. This Daudi-related effect appeared to be mediated by natural killer (NK) cells, since cellular expansion occurred mostly in the CD16+ and CD56+ CD3- NK cell subset. In cultures stimulated with BSM and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) feeder cells, the increase in proliferation was similar, but the enhancement of cytotoxicity, even though significant, was less prominent. Although all feeder cells were effective in stimulation of bone marrow reactivity, the highest cytotoxicity was always observed with feeder cells autologous to the targets, indicating some degree of specificity. This was especially evident in cultures stimulated with autologous versus allogeneic AML feeder cells. In contrast to Daudi-stimulated IL-2 cultures, in which the highest expansion of CD3- CD56+ NK cells was observed, in BSM and AML cultures, the CD3+ CD56+/-T cell subsets were more prolific. This indicates that the response and phenotypic heterogeneity of bone marrow cultures depends on the type of feeder cells used. This observation indicates that the preferential stimulation of a pertinent lymphocyte subset for therapeutic purposes may be possible.

Bone Marrow↗