ObjectiveTo investigate the proportion of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma, the dynamic changes of these cells before and after pancreatoduodenectomy were also analyzed. MethodsThe proportions of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ Tregs in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma and normal individuals were examined by using flow cytometric analysis. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was also studied before and after operation. ResultsThe patients with pancreatic head carcinoma showed higher ratio of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25high Tregs compared with normal control before operation (Plt;0.05). However, the percentage of these T cells reduced significantly after pancreatoduodenectomy, which was most obviously on the 3rd day after operation (Plt;0.01, Plt;0.05). After operation, CA199 level began to decrease, which was obvious on the fourteen day after operation. This tendency of CD4+CD25high Tregs changes was similar to that of CA199. The patients showed an decreased ratios of CD4+/CD8+ compared with normal controls, which further declined after operation, and reached the lowest point on the seventh day after operation (Plt;0.05). ConclusionsPancreatoduodenectomy may be helpful for the recovery of antitumor immunity. The perioperative period of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma may be a beneficial windowphase for immune intervention and Tregs may be served as target cells.
Objective To explore the effect of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4-Ig) fusion protein on the function of orthotopic liver allograft. Methods Orthotopic liver allograft models of rhesus monkeys were established in this study. The survival time, liver function and morphologic changes of graft were observed, respectively. The levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Apoptosis was monitored by TUNEL.Results The average survival of control group was 6.57 d, while the average survival of CTLA4-Ig group was 14.92 d, which was statistically prolonged (Plt;0.05). Serum ALT level was highly increased, and Alb level decreased obviously in control group. While the levels of ALT and Alb kept in normal in CTLA4-Ig group. After day 3-7, the expressions of IL-2 were highly expressed in control group, while the expressions of IL-10 in CTLA4-Ig group were higher than those of control group. The severity of rejection reaction after day 3 was weaker in CTLA4-Ig group than that of control group by histological assessment. The apoptosis index after day 3 in the liver cells was highly increased in control group as compared with the CTLA4-Ig group. Conclusions CTLA4-Ig fusion protein therapy can induce immunotolerance and prolong the survival of recipients. The increasing of cytokines IL-2 or the decreasing of cytokines IL-10 may be one of the laboratory indexes in monitoring immunotolerance of transplantation.