Expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules CD11b, L-selectin and CD45 during hemodialysis

Objective To examine the gene and protein expression of CD11b, L-selectin a nd CD45, and the relationship between their expression and leukocytopenia d uring a hemodialysis session. Methods Ten maintenance hemodialysis patients, 20 uremic non-dialysis patie nts and 10 healthy volunteers were included in this study. The mRNA express ion of CD11b, L-selectin and CD45 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by RT-PCR, while cell surface expression of these molecules on mo nocytes was detected by flow cytometry and leukocyte number was counted man ually. Results After the start of dialysis, both mRNA expression and cell surface expression of CD11b increased rapidly, while those of L-selectin and leukoc yte number fell. The mRNA expression of CD45 first decreased and the cell s urface expression increased, followed by a return to pre-dialysis levels, b y the end of dialysis. Conclusions Hemodialysis using a cuprophane membrane can induce rapid upreg ulation of CD11b and down-regulation of L-selectin, which might influence t he normal adhesion and anti-inflammatory response of leukocytes. In this pr ocess CD45 may play a role in regulating and/or transducing activation sign al.