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Decrease of polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane fluidity in uremic patients on hemodialysis
M Masuda1, Y Komiyama, T Murakami
1Department of Clinicolaboratory Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
We measured membrane fluidity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from 14 uremic patients on hemodialysis by the excimer-forming lipid technique with pyrenedecanoic acid using flow cytometry. Membrane fluidity of PMN was significantly lower in the uremic patients during the predialysis period. During hemodialysis, progressive normalization in membrane fluidity was observed. Cross-incubation studies indicated that this observation is ascribed to factors in the patients' serum and that they can be removed by hemodialysis. When sera of these patients were fractionated by Sephadex G-25 column chromatography, the specific fraction responsible for a decreased fluidity was found in the low-molecular-weight fraction. Uremic patients have an increased risk of infection, which may be partly due to altered membrane fluidity of their PMN.
Insights
Membrane fluidity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is reduced in uremic patients. Hemodialysis normalizes PMN fluidity, suggesting removal of serum factors responsible for this change.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis often exhibit an increased susceptibility to infections.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play a crucial role in the immune response.
- Altered cellular membrane properties may contribute to impaired immune function in uremia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the membrane fluidity of PMN in patients with uremia undergoing hemodialysis.
- To determine if hemodialysis affects PMN membrane fluidity.
- To identify serum factors influencing PMN membrane fluidity in uremia.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of PMN membrane fluidity using the excimer-forming lipid technique with pyrenedecanoic acid.
- Flow cytometry was employed for quantitative analysis.
- Serum fractionation via Sephadex G-25 column chromatography was performed.
Main Results:
- PMN membrane fluidity was significantly reduced in uremic patients before hemodialysis.
- Hemodialysis led to a progressive normalization of PMN membrane fluidity.
- Cross-incubation studies confirmed the presence of serum factors affecting fluidity, which are removable by hemodialysis.
- Fractionation identified low-molecular-weight serum components as responsible for decreased fluidity.
Conclusions:
- Uremia is associated with significantly reduced PMN membrane fluidity.
- Hemodialysis effectively improves PMN membrane fluidity by removing specific serum factors.
- Altered PMN membrane fluidity may be a contributing factor to the increased infection risk in uremic patients.