Abstract
γδT lymphocytes, which are CP 3+ lymphocytes that express γδ chains of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) on their surface, are functionally distinct from αβT lymphocytes, which express αβ chains of the TCR. γδT lymphocytes are thought to differentiate in mouse hepatic sinusoids, to play a role in antitumor action, and to act as natural killer cells. The purpose of this study was to examine whether γδT lymphocytes in the peripheral blood are suppressed when hepatic sinusoids are damaged during transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The numbers of αβT lymphocytes and γδT lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were examined with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry before and after TAE in 32 patients (from 46 to 78 years of age) with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The number of αβT lymphocytes before and after TAE was unchanged. However, the number of γδT lymphocytes and the ratio of γδT lymphocytes to CD 3 +lymphocytes were significantly decreased for 3 weeks after TAE treatment. This decrease suggests that TAE suppresses the supply of γδT lymphocytes to the peripheral blood. In addition, TAE may weaken a patient's antitumor immunity, because γδT lymphocytes that have antitumor activity decrease after TAE.
