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Effect of partial splenic embolization on the immune function of cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism
Gui-Yun Jin1, Chuan-Zhu Lv2, Deng Tang3
1Guangxi Medical University, China.
Insights
Partial splenic embolization temporarily impacts immune cells in cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism. However, immune function, including T cell counts, gradually recovers over time, necessitating infection prevention post-procedure.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Hypersplenism is a common complication in cirrhotic patients, leading to altered immune function.
- Partial splenic embolization (PSE) is a treatment option for hypersplenism, but its effects on immune status require detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of partial splenic embolization (PSE) on the immune function of cirrhotic patients suffering from hypersplenism.
Main Methods:
- This study involved three groups of patients: control, experimental (underwent PSE), and complication. Peripheral blood immune cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and Treg cells) and immunoglobulin levels were analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and auto-immunoassay at various time points post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Partial splenic embolization initially decreased T cell counts in the experimental group, followed by a recovery to normal levels. Patients in the complication group showed a persistent decrease in CD4+ T cells. Regulatory T cell (Treg) counts increased post-PSE in both groups, eventually returning to normal. Immunoglobulin levels remained comparable across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Partial splenic embolization transiently affects immune function in cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism, with a gradual restoration of normal immune parameters observed. Early measures to prevent infection and support immune function are crucial to mitigate complications following PSE.
Objective:
To discover the effect of partial splenic embolization on the immune function of cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism.
Methods:
Patients involved in the study were enrolled and divided into three groups, including control group, experimental group, and complication group. Numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)CDl27(low/-) Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery were analyzed by fluorescence active cell sorting (FACS). Contents of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were analyzed by auto immunoassay analyzer.
Results:
In the peripheral blood of patients from experimental group, numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells initially declined, but afterwards increased to normal level; in the peripheral blood of patients from complication group, CD3(+) and CD8(+) T cells showed the same trend, but the number of CD4(+) T cells was below normal level at all detection times. Furthermore, CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the peripheral blood of patients from complication group were initially less than those in experimental group, and afterwards were comparable between two groups. In patients from both experimental group and complication group, the number of CD4(+) CD25(+) CDl27(low/-)Treg cells increased 1 month and 6 months after surgery, and gradually restored to normal level. CD4(+)CD25(+)CDl27(low/-) Treg cell counts in patients from complication group were initially more than those in patients from experimental group 1 month and 6 months after surgery, but then they were comparable. Furthermore, contents of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were comparable in three groups at all detection times.
Conclusion:
Partial splenic embolization influenced the immune function of cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism in the short term but the immune function could afterwards gradually restore to normal. Our results implicated that measures that prevent infection and improve immune function were necessary in early stage after undergoing PSE in order to reduce complications.
