Lymphocytes, immune function

Volk T, Schenk M, Voigt K, Tohtz S, Putzier M, Kox WJ (2004) Postoperative epidural anesthesia preserves lymphocyte, but not monocyte, immune function after major spine surgery. Anesth Analg 98(4) 1086-1092... 

Since initial studies identified opioid receptors on T-lymphocytes (Wybran et al. 1979), the effects of opioids on immune function have been extensively studied. Details of these studies have been exhaustively reviewed (Madden et al. 1991 Adler et al. 1993 Peterson et al. 1998 Donahoe and Vlahov 1998 Roy et al. 2006), and will only be briefly mentioned here. In general, opioids suppress immune function. Peripheral leukocytes, including lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can express the four major opioid receptor types, MOP, DOP, KOP,... 

The primary function of the B lymphocytes is to produce antibodies, which are molecules that identify and lead to the destruction of foreign substances such as bacteria. The B lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce are responsible for humoral immunity. T lymphocytes provide immunity against viruses and cancer cells. These lymphocytes directly attack and destroy their targets by forming holes in the target cell membrane, causing cell lysis. The T lymphocytes are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. 

After this initial phase of infection subsides, the free viral load in the blood declines, often to almost undetectable levels. This latent phase may last for anything up to 10 years or more. During this phase, however, there does seem to be continuous synthesis and destruction of viral particles. This is accompanied by a high turnover rate of (CD4+) T-helper lymphocytes. The levels of these T-lymphocytes decline with time, as does antibody levels specific for viral proteins. The circulating viral load often increases as a result, and the depletion of T-helper cells compromises general immune function. As the immune system fails, classical symptoms of AIDS-related complex (ARC) and, finally, full-blown AIDS begin to develop. 

Rat 50 or 150 mg/kg ration After 6 weeks altered immune function as evidenced by inhibition of T-lymphocyte activity 11... 

Nutrition affects immune status both directly and indirectly. Total lymphocyte count and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions are immune function tests useful in nutrition assessment. 

Immune Functionality Measurement of B andT Lymphocytes, NK Cells, and Macrophage Functions... 

The activation of specihc immune responses involves the proliferation of lymphocytes. For T-cells, the stimulatory agent can be a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 or mitogens such PHA or ConA. Dysregulation of cell homeostasis may have severe adverse effects on immune functions, increasing susceptibility to infections and cancer, as well as favoring the development of autoimmune diseases. 

Black, P.L. et al., Antitumor response to recombinant murine interferon gamma correlates with enhanced immune function of organ-associated, but not recirculating cytolytic T lymphocytes and macrophages, Cancer Immunol Immunother., 37, 299, 1993. 

The immunotoxicology of metals in fishes has been reviewed elsewhere [74-76, 45], Overall, the immune systems of fishes are highly sensitive to metals, although the effects are not always suppression of immune functions. Burnett [76] demonstrated that low levels of metals increased intracellular calcium, increased protein phosphorylation, and stimulated lymphocyte proliferation in fish. Since most metals are toxic to both the nervous system and the immune system, a neuroendocrine-immune link to immuno-toxicity from metal exposure is likely. 

The impacts of contaminants on the structure of the immune system can be assessed by examining white blood cell (WBC) numbers and the mass and cellularity of immune organs, although these indicators are usually not as sensitive as measures of immune function. Avian immunotoxicity studies frequently assess total and (or) differential WBC counts [79], and immunosuppression can be indicated by reduced numbers of WBCs or elevated WBC numbers caused by recurrent infections. An elevated heterophil to lymphocyte ratio can indicate altered immune status in response to corticosteroid stress hormones or other factors [78,7 9], Exposure to lead shot or lead acetate has been shown to alter total and (or) differential WBC numbers in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix) and mallards [81-83], In western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) from California, concentrations of mercury in the kidney were positively correlated with heterophil... 

De Guise, S. et al., Immune functions in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) evaluation of mitogen-induced blastic transformation of lymphocytes from peripheral blood, spleen and thymus, Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 50, 117, 1996. 

In patients infected with HIV, many nonspecific and certain specific cellular immune functions can be shown to be altered or decreased, and a number of seemingly healthy individuals may exhibit marked immunological abnormalities without evidence of clinical illness. As the individual begins to exhibit clinical symptoms associated with AIDS, the abnormalities in the immune system become more extreme. A factor that complicates the study of HIV-induced immunosuppression is that many of the infections patients develop may themselves induce marked changes in the immune system. For this reason, it has been difficult to dissociate the fundamental changes associated with prolonged HIV infection from epiphenomena caused by other infections. One basic defect in the immune system of HIV-infected patients has, however, been elucidated. This is the loss of function and ultimate destruction of a proportion of T lymphocytes. 

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