Monitoring of Lymphocyte Function,
Abstract
It is now well established that severe thermal injury depresses a number of host defense systems. These post-burn alterations affect both the nonspecific inflammatory systems (i.e., complement, phagocytic) and the specific immune systems (lymphocytes, monocytes). Lymphocyte function is imporatant not only in specific host defense systems but also in nonspecific inflammatory systems. Lymphocytes produce antibody, act as cytotoxic killer cells, and regulate cellular responses. In addition, they also produce a number of lymphokines which indirectly influence phagocytosis, neutrophil chemotaxis and granulocyte maturation. Lymphokines mediate these activities by their direct action on the protein synthesis functions of the macrophage/monocyte (M0) population. The M0 population through its production of prostaglandins, fibrinonectin, complement components, leukocyte chemotactic factor, and colony stimulating factor regulate polymorphonucleocyte (PMN) maturation, migration from bone marrow, chemotactic response and phagocytic capacity, as well as modulating immune function. Lymphokines can modulate the production of all of these (M0) products, as well as directly act as chemotactic agents in some cases. Monitoring lymphocyte function can therefore provide a good indication of total host defensive capacity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP004422
Entities
People
- C. L. Miller
Organizations
- University of California, San Francisco