LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION IN WOUND-HEALING AND FOLLOWING INJURY

Background Injury activates a cascade of local and systemic immune res ponses. Methods A literature review was undertaken of lymphocyte funct ion in wound healing and following injury. Results Lymphocytes are not required for the initiation of wound healing, but an intact cellular immune response is essential for a normal outcome of tissue repair. In jury affects lymphocyte immune mechanisms leading to generalized immun osuppression which, in turn, increases host susceptibility to infectio n and sepsis. Although the exact origin of post-traumatic immunosuppre ssion remains unknown, stress hormones and immunosuppressive factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E-2 nd nitric oxide, aff ect lymphocyte function adversely. Post-traumatic impairment of T lymp hocyte immune function is reflected in decreased lymphocyte numbers, a s well as altered T cell phenotype and activity. Antibody-producing B lymphocytes are variably affected by injury, probably secondary to alt erations of T lymphocyte function, as a result of their close interact ion with helper T cells. Therapeutic modulation of the host immune res ponse may include non-specific and specific interventions to improve o verall defence mechanisms. Conclusion Early resuscitation to restore l ymphocyte function after injury is important for tissue repair and the prevention of immunosuppression.