Polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in malignant lymphomas and effects of splenectomy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play a crucial role in immune response.
• Defects in PMN function are implicated in increased infection susceptibility in cancer patients.
• Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are associated with compromised immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) before therapy.
• To compare in vitro and in vivo PMN migration, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reduction, and adherence.
• To explore potential correlations between PMN dysfunction and clinical parameters or disease type.

Main Methods:

• Assayed PMN directional locomotion (migration) in vitro and in vivo.
• Measured resting nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reduction.
• Assessed PMN adherence to nylon wool.
• Studied 7 patients with HD and 11 patients with NHL prior to therapy.

Main Results:

• Patients with HD exhibited increased NBT-reduction and markedly decreased PMN directional locomotion (in vitro and in vivo).
• PMN accumulation in skin chambers in HD patients correlated with peripheral blood counts (r = 0.95).
• PMN migration was depressed in vitro in half of NHL patients but increased in the in vivo assay.
• Splenectomy tended to increase PMN adherence and decrease NBT-reduction.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a constant cellular defect in PMN in HD.
• Abnormal PMN function in NHL may be mediated by extracellular factors.
• Abnormal PMN function in malignant lymphomas could correlate with clinical susceptibility to infection.