BLOOD-TRANSFUSION ENHANCES PRODUCTION OF T-HELPER-2 CYTOKINES AND TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA IN HUMANS

1. Blood transfusion confers immune suppression with improved allograf t survival, The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of blood transfusion on the production of T-helper-2 cytokines and transforming growth factor beta, which are associated with suppression of allograf t rejection, An additional aim was to try to identify which blood cell type is mostly responsible for the blood transfusion effect, Producti on of interleukin-4, interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor bet a by peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients with en d-stage renal disease was measured in vitro, These assays were perform ed before, and 4 h, 4, 7 and 14 days after a single blood transfusion and the transfusion of one unit of leucocyte-free erythrocytes. 2. Blo od transfusion stimulated a significant rise in the production of all three cytokines measured, Transfusion of erythrocytes had no effect on the production of interleukin-4 or interleukin-10. 3. It is suggested that blood transfusion enhances the production of interleukin-4, inte rleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta, These cytokines may in hibit production of T-helper 1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, deactiv ate cytotoxic cells and thereby suppress allograft rejection, It is fu rther suggested that the leucocyte is the transfused cell type which i s mostly associated with induction of this immunosuppressive response.