Lymphocyte subset reconstitution following human allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: differences between...

To define the relationship between hematopoietic reconstitution and lymphocyte subset analysis in human allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we compared lymphocyte subset reconstitution during the first 4 weeks after BMT in nine engrafted patients with that in three graft failure patients using flow cytometry. Marked differences were observed between the two groups. In graft failure patients, the percentage of CD3+ lymphocytes had increased 2 weeks after BMT by over 90% (p less than 0.05). The percentage of CD16+ lymphocytes and CD16+ CD57- lymphocytes did not increase (CD16+ at 3 and 4 weeks: p less than 0.05, CD16+ CD57- at 3 weeks; p less than 0.05, at 4 weeks: p less than 0.01), nor did the percentage of CD8+ 11b+ lymphocytes. The percentage of CD8+ 11b- lymphocytes had increased markedly 2 weeks after BMT (at 2 weeks: p less than 0.05, at 3 and 4 weeks: p less than 0.01). Of particular interest is the difference in the percentage of CD3+, CD16+, and CD8+ CD11b- T cells between the two groups. These cells may play a role in allogeneic bone marrow cell engraftment.