engleski

THE ROLE OF NATURAL KILLER T CELLS SUBSETS (NKT) DURING EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA IN COLON CARCINOMA PATIENTS

Background and aims: Natural killer (NK) and NK T (NKT) cells are important in innate immune defense. Generally, the appearance of such cells was associated with antitumor and allergic immune response, chronic inflammatory conditions, viral infection and autoimmune diseases. These cells share properties of natural killer and conventional T cells and are characterized by a narrow T cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire, recognize glycolipid antigen in the context of the monomorphic CD1d antigen-presenting molecule. During their development a crucial role has an adaptor molecule SAP, encoded by the SH2D1A gene locus, which is expressed in T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, where it regulates cytokine production and cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of epidural anesthesia in colon carcinoma patients on innate immune response. Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with colorectal carcinoma, classified as Dukes’ B or Dukes’ C, were taken before the operation and during the first sixth postoperative days and from healthy adult volunteers and labeled with antibodies by direct or indirect staining. CD3(+) /CD16+56(+) NKT cells, T cells, NK cells, CD4(+), CD8(+), CD3(+)/CD4(+), CD3(+)/CD8(+), CD5(+), CD19(+) and CD5(+)/19(+) cells of patients with colorectal carcinoma and normal controls were analyzed using flow cytometric analysis (FACSCalibur).. Results: Our data indicate that the percentage of CD4, CD19, double staining CD3/CD4, CD3/CD8 and CD5/CD19 positive cells are significantly decreased in CA patients, while the percentage of NKT cells has shown significant augmentation. During the therapy diminished value were slowly normalizing, while the average of NKT cells were higher. CONCLUSION: The immunoregulatory functions of NKT cells in malignant disease are marked and we are able to discuss NKT cell based immunotherapeutic strategies.

NK cells; NKT cells; innate immunity; colorectal carcinoma; epidural analgesia

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