• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.12
• /
• pp.1425-1431
• /
• 2015

The lymphocyte component of the immune system is divided into B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes produce antibodies (humoral immunity) via maturation into plasma cells, and T lymphocytes kill other cells or organisms (cellular immunity). A traditional immunological paradigm is that B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte interactions are a one-way phenomenon, with T lymphocytes helping to induce the terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin class-switched plasma cells. A deficiency of T lymphocytes was reported to result in defective B lymphocyte function. However, evidence for a reciprocal interaction between B and T lymphocytes is emerging, with B lymphocytes influencing the differentiation and effector function of T lymphocytes. For example, B lymphocytes have been shown to induce direct tolerance of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and induce T lymphocytes anergy via transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) production. The present study showed that LPS-stimulated B lymphocytes inhibited the differentiation of Th1 lymphocytes by inhibiting the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) from dendritic cells. An interaction between the B lymphocytes and dendritic cells was not needed for this inhibition, and the B lymphocytes did not alter dendritic cell maturation. B lymphocyte-derived soluble factor (BDSF) suppressed the LPS-induced IL-12p35 transcription in the dendritic cells. Overall, these results point to a novel B lymphocyte- mediated immune suppressive mechanism. The findings cast doubt on the traditional paradigm of immunological interactions involving B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte interactions.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.26-30
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the peripheral blood lymphocyte count before surgery in those patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The study group was comprised of a series of 1,054 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy. The appropriate lymphocyte count cutoff value was determined. The prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The lymphocyte count cutoff value was 1,500/ul. The patients were classified into two groups: Group A had a lymphocyte count $\geq$ 1,500/ul (n=765) and Group B had a lymphocyte count <1,500/ul (n=289). There were statistically significant differences between the groups according to their age (P<0.001), the tumor stage (P=0.038) and the tumor size (P<0.001). The 5- and 10-year survival rates of Group A were 80.1% and 76.6%, respectively and those of Group B were 72.4% and 63.5%, respectively (P=0.002). When multivariate analysis was performed by the Cox proportional hazards model, the lymphocyte count was not an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Although the prognosis of patients with a high lymphocyte count was better than that of the patients with a low lymphocyte count, our results did not support using the preoperative peripheral blood lymphocyte count as an independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1993.05a
• /
• pp.92-92
• /
• 1993

It is generally agreed that cellular immune functions are damaged by radiation therapy(RT). However, the exact effects of RT on peripheral lymphocytes are not yet clear. Authors previously reported the radiation effects on lymphocytes subpopulations, but these results merely showed the alteration of proportion of lymphocytes subpopulations after RT. So we try to evaluate the number of lymphocytes in each subpopulations as well as the proportion of subpopulations, and the recovery patterns of these alterations by time duraion after RT. The result shows that the proportion of subpopulations and number of lymphocytes in each subpopulations are decreased after RT except natural killer cells(NK cells), which proportion is increased but number is not changed, and these changes are stationary continued for post RT 6 months and then gradually recovered. However, the radiation effects on peripheral lymphocytes still remain after one year.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 1998

소 림프구내의 Theileria sergenti감염을 확인하기 위하여 T. sergenti감염혈액에서 림프구를 분리한 후 중합효소연쇄반웅을 실시하였다. 또한,분리한 림프구내의 T. sergenti감 염을 증명하기 위하여 IFA test와 acridine orange stain을 실시하였다. 그 결과 다음과 같은 성적을 얻을 수 있었다. T. sergenti 감염헐액의 전혈과 림프구를 각각 생리식염수로 2배율 연 속회석하여 중합효소연쇄반응을 실시한 결과, 림프구내에서는 1,024배 회석배율까지 T. sergenti의 genomic DNA가 중폭되었으며, 전혈내에서는 256배 회석배율까지 증폭되었다. 그리 고 중합효소연쇄반응으로 T. sergenti 감염이 확인된 림프구를 이용하여 IFA test와 acridine orange 염색을 실시한 결과, 림프구내에 T. sergenti가 존재하는 것을 증명할 수있었다. 한편, 중합효소연쇄반응을 이용한 림프구내의 T. sergenti 감염의 진단 유용성을 확인하기 위하여 전 북지역에서 사육중인 소 16두를 대상으로 이들의 혈액으로 PCR 증폭을 실시하였다. 그 결과 전혈에서 genomic DNA를 취한 경우에는 3두(18.8%)만이, 그리고 림프구에서 genomic DNA를 취한 경우에는 11두(68.8%)의 소에서 T. sergenti DNA의 증폭을 관찰할 수 있었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2009

SLE 등의 자가면역질환 병인론에 있어서 $CD4^+$ T 조력 림프구 (T helper cell)의 기능과 항상성 조절의 이상이 중요하다는 것은 알려진 사실이지만 $CD4^+$ T 조력 림프구 (T helper cell)의 발달과 기능에 대한 성호르몬의 정확한 역할에 대하여는 아직 확립되어 있지 않은 실정이다. 에스트로겐의 $CD4^+$ T 림프구에 대한 여러 방면의 작용에 대한 결과는 에스트로겐 매개 신호가 전달되는 정황에 매우 의존적이라고 할 수 있으며, 또한 에스트로겐이 B 림프구와 항원발현세포들 같이 T 림프구 기능을 변화시킬 수 있는 다른 분획 세포들의 기능에 대해서도 영향을 미칠 수 있다는 사실을 고려한다면, 에스트로겐이 $CD4^+$ T 림프구매개반응에 미치는 작용은 매우 복잡하다고 할 수 있다. 현재로선 이런 과정들과 관련된 에스트로겐의 정확한 기전에 대한 연구 성과는 현재로선 아직걸음마 단계에 지나지 않는다고 볼 수 있다. 일부 분자학적 표적들의 발견에도 불구하고 ER-$\alpha$와 ER-$\beta$, 또는 이런 표적들의 조절에 대한 유전자적 또는 비유전자적 경로의 상대적 역할에 대해서는 현재로선 알려진 바가 많지 않은 것 또한 사실이며, T 림프구 자체의 미세 환경과 ER 매개 전사반응에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 방법 역시 아직까진 알려진 바가 없다. 따라서 에스트로겐의 $CD4^+$ T 림프구에 대한 다각적 영향을 규명하는 데 있어 이런 경로들에 대한 보다 체계적이고 상세한 연구가 반드시 필요하다. 최근 골다공증의 병인에 있어 에스트로겐에 의한 TNF 및 RANK-RANKL계 억제에 대해 연구가 심도 있게 진행됨으로써 결과적으로 다른 시토카인과 면역세포들에 대한 영향이 간접적으로 규명되고 있는 점은 매우 고무적인 현상이라고 여겨진다. 이러한 연구들은 추후 에스트로겐의 면역 및 염증체계에 대한 특징적 작용을 규명하는데 있어서 밑거름이 될 수 있을 것이다. 나아가 호르몬 자체, 또는 SERM 같은 준호르몬제제들이 면역계에 미치는 영향을 분자학적으로 규명함으로써 향후 이러한 지식들이 또한 류마티스성 자가면역질환이나 만성염증성질환, 또는 전신성 감염질환에 있어 면역글로불린이나 기타 다른 기존 치료 약제들을 대체 보완할 수 있는 호르몬 치료로 이어질 수 있는 결정적인 단서를 제공할 수 있을 것이라 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 1997

Toxoplasmn gonnii, an intracellular protozoan infecting many kinds of eukaryotic cells, has been used to experimentally infect macrophages, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and various cancer cells, but rarely T and B Iymphocytes or granulocytes. The present study was performed to determine the susceptibility of murine (BALB/c or CBA) splenic T and B llrnphocytes, and granulocytes to infection trio T. gondii RH tachyzoites. The ultrastructure of the infected host cells was observed by TEM, and the degree of intracellular parasite proliferation was quantified using 3H-uracil uptake assay. At 24 hrs post-culture, the host cell cytoplasm was found to contain 1 or 2, or a maximum of 7-8 tachyzoites. Infected T Iymphocytes demonstrated a peripherally displaced nucleus, a parasitophorous vacuole enveloping the parasite, and an increased number of mitochondria. In B Iymphocytes infected with tachyzoites, RER was not well developed compared to uninfected B Iymphocytes. Uninfected granulocytes contained many electron dense granules, but T. gondii-infected granulocytes demonstrated a decreased number of granules. Based on the 3H-uracil uptake assay. the susceptibility of T and B Iymphocytes, and granulocytes, to infection with T. gonnii tachyzoites was fairly high irrespective of cell type and strain of mouse. This strongly suggests deterioration in the functioning of infected host immune cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.384-390
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Organophosphate insecticide poisoning can have clinically fatal results. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the occurrence of death in patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning. Methods: For this retrospective study, data on patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning who visited the emergency room between January 2008 and November 2018 were collected. The NLR was measured at the time of arrival in the emergency room. The patients were divided into survival and death groups. Results: Overall, 150 patients were enrolled: 15 (10%) in the death group and 135 (90%) in the survival group. In the univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly different between the two groups: age, white blood cell count, amylase level, creatinine level, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and NLR. In the logistic regression analysis of variables with significant differences in the univariate analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, APACHE II score, and NLR. The NLR was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group (20.83 ± 22.24 vs. 7.38 ± 6.06, p=0.036). Conclusion: High NLR in patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning may be useful in predicting mortality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.5-16
• /
• 2002

Background : Though mononuclear phagocytes serve as the final effectors in killing intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacilli readily survive in the intracellular environment of resting cells. The mechanisms through which cellular activation results in the intracellular killing is unclear. In this study, we sought to explore an in vitro model of a low-level infection of human mononuclear phagocytes with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ and determine the extent of the lymphocyte dependent cytotoxicity of human monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Materials and Methods : The peripheral monocytes were prepared using the Ficoll gradient method from PPD positive healthy people and tuberculosis patients. The alveolar macrophages were prepared from PPD positive healthy people via a bronchoalveolar lavage. The human mononuclear phagocytes were infected at a low infection rate (bacilli:phagocyte 1:10) with MAC(Mycobacterium avium) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$. Non-adherent cells(lymphocyte) were added at a 10:1 ratio. After 1,4, and 7 days culture in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2 incubator, the cells were harvested and inoculated in a 7H10/OADC agar plate for the CFU assay. The bacilli were calculated with the CFU/$1{\times}10^6$ of the cells and the cytotoxicity was expressed as the log killing ratio. Results : The intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the monocyte was greater in patients with tuberculosis compared to the PPD positive controls (p<0.05). Intracellular killing of MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ within the alveolar macrophage appeared to be greater than that within the monocytes of the PPD positive controls. There was significant lymphocyte dependent inhibition of intracellular growth of the mycobacteria within the monocytes in both the controls and tuberculosis patients and within the macrophages in the controls(p<0.05). There was no specific difference in the virulence between the MAC and the $H_{37}Ra$. Conclusion : This study is an in vitro model of a low-level infection with MAC and $H_{37}Ra$ of human mononuclear phagocytes. The intracellular cytotoxicity of the mycobacteria within the phagocytic cells was significantly lymphocyte dependent. During the 7 days culture after the intracellular phagocytosis, the actual confinement of the mycobacteria was observed within the monocytes of tuberculosis patients and the alveolar macrophages of the controls as in the case of adding lymphocytes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.229-236
• /
• 1996

Purpose : To evaluate the changes of differential counts and lymphocyte subsets in cancer patients' leukocyte before and after radiotherapy. Materials and Methods : From Dec. 1994 to Mar 1995, the changes of leukocyte and its subsets in 16 patients who received radiotherapy in the Dept. of Radiation Oncology of Dong-A University Hospital were investigated. Radiation was delivered from 2700 cGy to 6660 cGy with median dose of 5400 cGy. The results of pre- and Post-radiotherapy were analyzed by paired T-test. The results of patients Who received < 50 Gy and $\geq$ 50 Gy were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. Results : Before and after radiotherapy, there was not any significant differences in the counts of leukocyte, granulocyte and monocyte. A remarkable decrease was noted in lymphocyte counts after radiotherapy(p=0.015). T cells, B cells and natural killer cells were also decreased in number after radiotherapy but it was not significant statistically. 1 helper cells and T suppressor cells were also decreased in number(p>0.05). The ratio of T helper/suppressor cell was decreased from 1.52 to 1, 11 and it was significant statistically(p=0.016). The portion of T suppressor cell among all T cells was increased after radiotherapy (p=0.0195). No significant difference was observed in the analysis of leukocyte and its subsets between patients who received < 50 Gy and $\geq$ 50 Gy, Conclusion : Radiotherapy caused remarkable decrease in lymphocyte count and its subsets. Among all lymphocyte subsets, T helper cell might be the most vulnerable to radiation, considering decreased ratio of T helper/suppressor cell count after radiotherapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.175-184
• /
• 1999

Background: Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammatory airway disease associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Bronchial inflammation in asthma may depend in part on the activation of T helper lymphocytes that elaborate proinflammatory cytokines. T helper (Th) lymphocytes can be divided into two categories; Th1 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$, and Th2 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Th2 lymphocytes appear to induce allergic responses, whereas Th1 lymphocytes induce delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Some infections, such as tuberculosis, cultivate a Th1 immunological environment and inhibit Th2 lymphocytes function. The presence of such infections might inhibit Th2 immune responses and thus protect development of atopic diseases. Method: 15 patients with allergic bronchial asthma, 10 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma, and 10 healthy volunteers were studied. The serum concentrations of IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA method and tuberculin skin test was estimated in different groups. Results: The positive response rates of tuberculin test were 46.7% in patients with allergic asthma, 100% in patients with intrinsic asthma and 60% in normal controls. The positive response rates were significantly lower in patients with allergic asthma than those of in patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). Degree of responses to tuberculin test were $12.0{\pm}9.6mm$ in patients with allergic asthma, $18.4{\pm}4.5mm$ in patients with intrinsic asthma and $10.9{\pm}8.8mm$ in normal controls. The degree of responses were significantly reduced in patients with allergic asthma than those of patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). The serum levels of IL-5 in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than in patients with intrinsic asthma and normal controls (p<0.05), although it was insignificant. the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma were higher than that of intrinsic asthma and normal controls. The serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$ in patients with allergic asthma and intrinsic asthma were significantly lower than those in normal controls(p<0.05). The serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and peripheral blood eosinophile counts in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Peripheral blood esinophil counts had a significant correlation with the serum levels of total IgE, IL-5 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results have showed that Th1 lymphocyte functions were lowered and Th2 lymphocyte functions were elevated in patients with allergic asthma than those in normal controls. Suppression of Th1 lymphocyte functions by activation of Th2 lymphocyte might be one of the important aspects of pathogenesis in allergic bronchial asthma.