Effect of Immunosuppresion on the Release of Main Granulocyte Components: In Vivo and in Vitro Studies

Abstract

In operative trauma or severe inflammatory responses, polymorphonuclear leukocytes release lysosomal proteinases extracellularly and into the circulation (Duswald et al., 1985). Immediately after surgery a decrease of elastase in complex with α₁-proteinase inhibitor (Eα₁PI) is observed due to the elimination of the infection focus (Jochum et al., 1984). During hemodialysis treatment there is also an increase of E- α₁PI (Hörl et al., 1983; Hörl and Heidland 1984) depending on the membrane material of the dialyzer used (Horl et al., 1985a and b). There was also demonstrated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes release myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin during hemodialysis treatment (Hörl et al., 1986). Corticosteroids can stabilize membranes, inhibit locomation, phagocytosis and degranulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Smolen and Weissmann 1978; Dunham et al., 1977). In the present study we evaluated plasma levels of main granulocyte components of patients following cadaveric renal transplantation. The effect of different immune suppressive drugs on the release of main granulocyte constituents was investigated in vitro and also during hemodialysis.