T-cell subsets of peripheral blood and spleen in hepatocarcinoma-bearing rats

Abstract

T-cell subsets from peripheral blood and spleen were investigated prospectively by flow cytometry in a murine intrahepatic implanted tumor model. Periopheral blood OX-19+ cells (pan T-cells) and W3/25+ cells (Th cells) decreased with tumor development in tumor-bearing rats, giving significant differences when compared with healthy rats. No significant changes were found in OX-8+ cells (Ts cells). Hence, Th/Ts ratio in tumor-bearing rats was lower than that in control group. Meanwhile, on day 17 following tumor implantation, in tumor-bearing rats with intrahepatic or peritoneal metastasis, there were less W3/25+ cells and more OX-8+ cells than those of hepatoma-bearing rats without metastasis (p<0.01). In the spleen, the phenotypes of lymphocyte markers showed less OX-8+ cells and more OX-12+ cells (B cells) tumor-bearing rats. It was suggested that, in tumor-bearing host, not only was T-cell immune function inhibited, but also there was abnormal distribution of T-cell subsets. It seems that there is a close relationship between tumor growth and its spread and a lower Th/Ts ratio.