Ultrasound does not affect human lymphocyte transformation in vitro

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Diagnostic ultrasound is increasingly prevalent.
• Ultrasound has been suggested to have immunosuppressive effects in mice.
• Lymphocyte transformation tests assess immune response and therapy effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of ultrasound on human lymphocyte function.
• To determine if ultrasound exhibits immunosuppressive properties in humans.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the lymphocyte transformation test.
• Stimulated human lymphocytes with mitogenic lectins (phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen).
• Measured 3H-thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes after ultrasound exposure.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound exposure did not suppress the response of human lymphocytes to mitogens.
• No evidence of immunosuppression was observed in human lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

• The lymphocyte transformation test did not reveal an immunosuppressive role for diagnostic ultrasound on human lymphocytes.
• Current findings contradict previous reports of ultrasound-induced immunosuppression in mice.