Impaired B lymphocyte reactivity in patients after radiotherapy
The effect of therapeutic irradiation upon B lymphocyte function was investigated in patients with various malignancies. The test system used was a reverse hemolytic plaque assay, which made it possible to study the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal individuals and patients before and after radiotherapy were stimulated in vitro with the polyclonal B cell activator pokeweed mitogen, and the number of ISC was estimated. B cell reactivity was markedly reduced in those patients who had received irradiation within the last six months. In patients in whom radiotherapy had been terminated more than 12 months before the lymphocytes were tested, B cell reactivity was comparable to that of patients prior to radiotherapy. By means of marker analyses, there was a reduction of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood with a preponderance of T helper cells. Several mechanisms--e.g., reduced or defective B cell differentiation, altered regulatory T-helper or suppressor cell function or activation of suppressive monocytes--could be responsible for impaired B cell reactivity after radiotherapy.
- Research Organization:
- Klinikum Steglitz der Freien Universitaet Berlin, Germany, F.R.
- OSTI ID:
- 5566414
- Journal Information:
- Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 11:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LYMPHOCYTES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
NEOPLASMS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
PATIENTS
RADIATION INJURIES
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISEASES
INJURIES
LEUKOCYTES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
SOMATIC CELLS
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man