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[Lymphocyte and lymphocyte subsets in pleural fluid--comparison of malignant and non-malignant disorders]

Joanna Klimiuk1, Joanna Domagała-Kulawik, Rafał Krenke

  • 1Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych Pneumonologii i Alergologii AM w Warszawie.

Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej
|July 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Lymphocytes, particularly CD8+ cells, play a role in the local immune response within malignant pleural effusions. This study found a lower CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio in malignant effusions compared to benign ones.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Lymphocytes are crucial for host defense in neoplastic disorders.
  • Lymphocyte accumulation in the pleural cavity is common across various diseases.
  • Understanding lymphocyte roles in pleural effusions aids in disease diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of lymphocyte predominance in malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions.
  • To analyze lymphocyte phenotypes, specifically the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, in different pleural effusion types.
  • To investigate the role of lymphocytes in the local immune response within the pleural space.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of pleural fluid samples from patients with mesothelioma, lung cancer, lymphoma, metastatic neoplasms, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
  • Identification of lymphocyte predominance ( >10% lymphocytes).
  • Flow cytometry using anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies to determine lymphocyte subpopulations and CD4+/CD8+ ratios.

Main Results:

  • Lymphocytes were the predominant cell type in neoplastic effusions.
  • Malignant effusions showed a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (47%) and a higher percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes (39%) compared to non-malignant effusions (58% vs 31%).
  • The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly lower in malignant pleural effusions (1.03) than in benign effusions (1.85).

Conclusions:

  • Lymphocyte predominance is common in neoplastic pleural effusions.
  • A decreased CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio in pleural fluid is indicative of neoplastic disease.
  • CD8+ lymphocytes may play a significant role in the local anti-tumor immune response within the pleural cavity.

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