The immunmodulatory mechanisms of extracorporeal photopheresis

Bladon, J., 2003. The immunmodulatory mechanisms of extracorporeal photopheresis. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) was originally pioneered as a treatment for Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma (CTCL) (Edelson et al., 1987). More recently, ECP therapy has been found to be effective in Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) (Owsianowski et a l, 1994). ECP involves the separation and exposure of leucocytes to 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and UVA, treated cells are subsequently re-infused (Edelson et al., 1987). Lymphocytes demonstrating apoptotic markers are observed very early in the ECP process, immediately prior to re-infusion. The early apoptotic lymphocytes display phosphatidyIserine externalisation, depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a fall in Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Subsequent changes included the activation of the caspase cascade and expression of Fas-Ligand, observed 24 hours post ECP. The apoptotic lymphocytes are phagocytosed by monocytes following ECP. ECP-treated monocytes, unlike other UV therapies, retain the co-stimulatory markers necessary for the effective presentation of processed antigens. Immediately following ECP, the number of T-cells expressing TNFα and IFNγ falls, whilst levels of monocytes expressing TNFα are also reduced.

The anti-clonotypic immunomodulatory response, thought to be induced by ECP (Edelson et al, 1994), may therefore be induced by the extensive immediate and progressive immunological challenge of infused apoptotic lymphocytes. This process is thought capable of removing the expanded malignant and autoreactive T cell clones present in patients treated using ECP (Edelson et al, 1994). In addition, down-regulation of TNFα and IFNγ may benefit the T-cell mediated conditions where these cytokines play a pathological role

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Bladon, J.
Date:	2003
ISBN:	9781369316704
Identifiers:	Number Type PQ10183506 Other
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	30 Sep 2020 12:44
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2023 11:53
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/41022

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