Response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hemodialyzed patients against endotoxin and muramyldipeptide

Tatsuya Nakatani1, Kenji Tsuchida, Kazunobu Sugimura

  • 1Department of Urology and Devision of Artificial Kidney, Osaka City University Medical School, Abeno-ku, Osaka City 545-8586, Japan. nakatani@msic.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp

Insights

Dialysate pyrogens like endotoxin (ET) and peptidoglycan (PG) fragments can affect hemodialysis patients. Chronic exposure may lead to reduced immune cell responses, suggesting tolerance development.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Microbial fragments, including endotoxin (ET) and peptidoglycan (PG), act as pyrogens in dialysis fluid.
  • Hemodialysis patients may be exposed to these pyrogens, potentially impacting their immune system.
  • Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) is a key cytokine involved in inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of contaminated dialysate on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in hemodialysis patients.
  • To measure the in vitro production of IL-1beta by PBMCs in response to pyrogens.
  • To assess the influence of dialysis membrane type, dialysate contamination level, and hemodialysis duration.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from hemodialysis patients before dialysis.
  • PBMCs were stimulated in vitro with endotoxin (ET), muramyldipeptide (MDP - a PG fragment), or both.
  • IL-1beta production was measured, comparing responses across different dialysis membranes (PS, CU, EVAL, PMMA), contamination levels, and dialysis durations.

Main Results:

  • PBMC IL-1beta production stimulated by ET or ET+MDP was significantly lower with polysulfon (PS) membranes compared to CU, EVAL, and PMMA membranes.
  • Patients on PS membranes exposed to higher pyrogen contamination showed reduced PBMC cytokine production versus those using ultrapure dialysate.
  • The response of PBMCs to ET+MDP stimulation decreased with increasing duration of hemodialysis treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Dialysis membrane material influences PBMC response to pyrogens.
  • Higher dialysate pyrogen contamination and longer dialysis duration are associated with diminished PBMC cytokine production.
  • Chronic exposure to ET and MDP during hemodialysis may induce tolerance in PBMCs, reducing their inflammatory response.