Observations on NK cells, K cells and on their function a long time after posttraumatic splenectomy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• The spleen plays a crucial role in immune surveillance and filtering the blood.
• Splenectomy, particularly after trauma, can lead to altered immune cell populations and function.
• Large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) are a subset of lymphocytes implicated in immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of post-traumatic splenectomy on natural killer (NK) cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
• To assess the relationship between LGL numbers and NK cell function in these patients.
• To evaluate long-term complications following splenectomy, including infections and hematological malignancies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of NK cell activity and ADCC in 48 post-traumatic splenectomy patients.
• Flow cytometry to determine the proportion and absolute number of LGLs and CD16+ cells.
• Clinical follow-up for infections and development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Main Results:

• Most patients (48) showed normal NK cell activity and ADCC despite increased LGLs.
• Two patients exhibited severely decreased NK cell activity with elevated LGLs and normal CD16+ cells.
• Increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections and recurrent herpes genitalis observed in one patient.
• Two patients developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia 5 and 31 years post-splenectomy.

Conclusions:

• Post-traumatic splenectomy generally preserves NK cell activity and ADCC, despite LGL count changes.
• A subset of splenectomized individuals may experience impaired NK cell function and increased infection risk.
• Splenectomy is associated with a long-term risk of developing chronic lymphocytic leukemia.