Plasmapheresis affects T helper type-1/T helper type-2 balance of circulating peripheral lymphocytes

Ther Apher. 2001 Dec;5(6):494-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-0968.2001.00386.x.

Abstract

Plasmapheresis not only removes humoral factors, but may also modulate cellular immunity. We investigated whether plasmapheresis influenced T helper type-1/T helper type-2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine-producing-cell balance in 3 patients with neuroimmunological disease. The production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-4 in the culture supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 was assayed. In 2 of 3 patients, plasmapheresis (immunoadsorption or plasma exchange) reduced Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio. The results may suggest that plasmapheresis induces a shift of Th1/Th2 balance in peripheral blood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-2 / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / therapy
  • Plasmapheresis*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / therapy
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma