Lymphocyte Proliferation Panel for Mitogens and Antigens
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Several classes of ligands are capable of inducing blastogenesis and stimulating proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro, including plant mitogens (phytohemagglutinin [PHA], pokeweed [PWM], and concanavalin A [Con A]), bacterial products and superantigens (potent bacterial toxins that at low concentrations have the ability to activate large numbers of T cells), and phorbol esters. Cellular proliferation follows a complex series of signals that begins with engagement of lymphocyte surface receptors by a mitogenic or antigenic ligand. Subsequent signals, including gene activation and secretion of cytokines, result in synthesis of DNA and cell division. Measurement of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro provides a semiquantitative assessment of total cell-mediated immunity.(1)
The proliferative responses to PHA and Con A involve T lymphocytes, and the response to PWM involves both T and B lymphocytes in a T-dependent manner. Diminished proliferative responses to lectin mitogens occur in a variety of primary and secondary immunodeficiency diseases including diseases that affect T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and T and B lymphocytes.(2)
Specific antigen recognition involves T-cell receptor recognition of specific peptide in the context of the appropriate MHC molecule on an antigen-presenting cell. T cells activate and proliferate in response to specific antigenic stimulus. The recall antigens (eg, Candida albicans and tetanus toxoid) are used to assess antigen-specific T-cell responses.
The absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets are known to be influenced by a variety of biological factors, including hormones, the environment, and temperature. The studies on diurnal (circadian) variation in lymphocyte counts have demonstrated progressive increase in CD4 T-cell count throughout the day, while CD8 T cells and CD19+ B cells increase between 8:30 a.m. and noon, with no change between noon and afternoon. Natural killer (NK) cell counts, on the other hand, are constant throughout the day.(3) Circadian variations in circulating T-cell counts have been shown to be negatively correlated with plasma cortisol concentration.(4-6) In fact, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations control distribution and, therefore, numbers of naive versus effector CD4 and CD8 T cells.(4) It is generally accepted that lower CD4 T-cell counts are seen in the morning compared with the evening (7), and during summer compared to winter.(8) These data, therefore, indicate that timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets.
Evaluating patients suspected of having diminished cellular immune function
Evaluating patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency diseases that affect T lymphocytes, including combined immunodeficiency diseases (eg, severe combined immunodeficiency, cellular immunodeficiency diseases, and some patients with humoral immunodeficiency diseases (eg, common variable immunodeficiency)
Evaluating functional T-cell recovery post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant or immunosuppressive therapy for solid-organ transplantation or in other clinical contexts
Diminished responses to lectin mitogens and/or antigens may be consistent with a primary or secondary immunodeficiency disease. Abnormal results are not specific for a particular disease, and the magnitude of the abnormality is not necessarily related to the degree of immunodeficiency. In the case of antigen-specific proliferative responses, it is possible to have low or absent responses if a long interval has passed since the original or booster vaccination (tetanus toxoid).
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
The range of proliferative responses observed in healthy immunologically competent individuals is large.
During T-cell reconstitution post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant or immunosuppression, functional T-cell recovery is likely to develop gradually. Therefore, in the case of mitogenic responses, it may be more relevant to assess the patient's individual data rather than use the reported comparison to the normal healthy control.
Lymphocyte proliferation to lectin mitogens and antigens can be affected by alcohol, numerous therapeutic drugs (eg, anxiety, bereavement, and depression), and acute illnesses (eg, acute viral infections).
Specimens >24 hours old may give spurious results.
Diminished results may be obtained in cultures that contain excess neutrophils or nonviable cells.(1)
Timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets. See data under "Clinical Information."
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION TO ANTIGENS
Viability of lymphocytes at day 0: > or =75.0%
Maximum proliferation of Candida albicans as % CD45: > or =5.7%
Maximum proliferation of Candida albicans as % CD3: > or =3.0%
Maximum proliferation of tetanus toxoid as % CD45: > or =5.2%
Maximum proliferation of tetanus toxoid as % CD3: > or =3.3%
LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION TO MITOGENS
Viability of lymphocytes at day 0: > or =75.0%
Maximum proliferation of phytohemagglutinin as % CD45: > or =49.9%
Maximum proliferation of phytohemagglutinin as % CD3: > or =58.5%
Maximum proliferation of pokeweed mitogen as % CD45: > or =4.5%
Maximum proliferation of pokeweed mitogen as % CD3: > or =3.5%
Maximum proliferation of pokeweed mitogen as % CD19: > or =3.9%
Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Fletcher MA, Urban RG, Asthana D, et al: Lymphocyte proliferation. In Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. Fifth edition. Edited by NR Rose, EC de Macario, JD Folds, et al. Washington DC. ASM Press, 1997, pp 313-319
2. Bonilla FA, Bernstein IL, Khan DA, et al: Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2005;94:S1-S63
3. Carmichael KF, Abayomi A: Analysis of diurnal variation of lymphocyte subsets in healthy subjects and its implication in HIV monitoring and treatment. 15th Intl Conference on AIDS, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004, Abstract B11052
4. Dimitrov S, Benedict C, Heutling D, et al: Cortisol and epinephrine control opposing circadian rhythms in T-cell subsets. Blood 2009;113:5134-5143
5. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Nohroudi K, Born J: Number and function of circulating antigen presenting cells regulated by sleep. Sleep 2007;30:401-411
6. Kronfol Z, Nair M, Zhang Q, et al: Circadian immune measures in healthy volunteers: relationship to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones and sympathetic neurotransmitters. Psychosom Med 1997;59:42-50
7. Malone JL, Simms TE, Gray GC, et al: Sources of variability in repeated T-helper lymphocyte counts from HIV 1-infected patients: total lymphocyte count fluctuations and diurnal cycle are important. J AIDS 1990;3:144-151
8. Paglieroni TG, Holland PV: Circannual variation in lymphocyte subsets, revisited. Transfusion 1994;34:512-551