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Published on: May 1, 2015
Lymphocyte subpopulations in children with abnormal lymphatic circulation.
B Z Garty1, A I Levinson, Y L Danon
1Division of Allergy-Immunology-Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Children with abnormal lymphatic circulation show reduced T-helper (CD4) cells and reversed CD4/CD8 ratios in blood, indicating impaired cellular immunity. Lymphatic fluid shows higher CD4/CD8 ratios, suggesting selective lymphocyte movement.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Lymphatic System Research
Background:
- Abnormal lymphatic circulation, including lymphangiectasia, chylothorax, and chyloperitoneum, can lead to systemic fluid and nutrient loss.
- Previous studies suggest impaired cellular immunity in patients with conditions involving chronic loss of chyle.
- The precise mechanisms underlying immune dysfunction in these pediatric patients remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children diagnosed with abnormal lymphatic circulation.
- To compare the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8) in peripheral blood and lymphatic fluid.
- To explore the relationship between altered lymphocyte profiles and potential immune deficiencies in these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Enumeration of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8) using flow cytometry in five pediatric patients.
- Analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets in pleural or peritoneal fluid from three patients.
- Assessment of the CD4/CD8 ratio in both blood and lymphatic fluid samples.
- Evaluation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferative response to mitogens in two patients.
Main Results:
- All five children exhibited lymphopenia (low lymphocyte count).
- Marked reduction in helper/inducer (CD4) lymphocytes was observed in all patients.
- A reversed CD4/CD8 ratio was consistently found in the peripheral blood of all patients.
- Lymphatic fluid samples showed a normal or increased CD4/CD8 ratio, significantly higher than in the blood.
Conclusions:
- The reversed CD4/CD8 ratio in the blood of children with abnormal lymphatic circulation is a significant finding.
- This imbalance may result from selective migration of CD4 lymphocytes into lymphatic fluid or differential lymphocyte half-lives.
- The observed lymphocyte subset alterations likely contribute to the previously noted cellular immunity defects in patients with lymphangiectasia and related disorders.
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