[Photomodification of human immunocompetent blood cells]

Near-UV irradiation (280-365 nm) at non-lethal doses increased lymphocyte E and EAC rosette-forming capacity, reduced cell proliferation in response to mitogen (PHA), induced an increase in the content of lipid peroxidation products in the cell culture medium. An antioxidant (alpha-tocopherol, 10(-7) M) administered before or immediately after near UV irradiation of lymphocytes reduced the above effects. The addition of an antioxidant to the culture medium 90 min after cell irradiation failed to reduce lymphocyte rosette-forming capacity. Near-UV irradiation of the blood reduced cell proliferative response to PHA. alpha-tocopherol (10(-7) M) administered before and immediately after the blood photomodification blocked the suppression of cell proliferation in response to mitogen.