[Analysis of lymphocyte subpopulation in chronic dialyzed end stage renal failure by flow cytometry]

To investigate the change of immune function in patients with ESRF, peripheral blood lymphocytes of 15 maintenance hemodialysis patients were analyzed using FITC labelled monoclonal antibodies and laser flow cytometry (FACS 440). Lymphocytes of phenotype CD 3 (Pan T cell), CD 4 (helper/inducer), CD 8 (suppressor/cytotoxic), CD 16 (NK cell), CD 25 (IL-2 Receptor) and HLA-DR were enumerated. The results were summarized as follows: (1) CD 3, CD 8 and CD 16 were decreased markedly in ESRF patients. (2) CD 4 and CD 25 showed a tendency of decrement also yet statistically insignificant, (3) Value for HLA-DR was higher than normal, probably related with the hemodialysis. (4) CD 4, CD 8 and CD 4/CD 8 in a transfused group were not different from those in a non-transfused group. (5) CD 4/CD 8 was negatively correlated with the serum creatinine level (r = -0.524). In conclusion, there is a marked suppression of immune function in ESRF patients as evidenced from the change of T cell subpopulation.