Reference Ranges for Lymphocyte Subsets among Healthy Hong Kong Chinese Adults by Single-Platform Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Lymphocyte subset enumeration is useful in the evaluation of hereditary and acquired immunodeficiency, assessment of immune reconstitution post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and also for monitoring CD4 count in HIV and AIDS patients. In particular, the CD4 count serves as a guide for initiation of antiretroviral therapy and prophylactic treatment of opportunistic infections (1-3) because it can provide valuable information for treatment response and disease progression. As a result, immunophenotyping of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry has been an indispensable tool in the management of HIV and AIDS patients. Various studies have shown that the reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets are subject to influences by age, sex, ethnicity, and environment (4-17). Flow cytometry is the "gold standard" for the enumeration of lymphocyte subsets, and it is important to establish the local reference ranges for interpretation of laboratory results and clinical decision making (13). Most of the published reference ranges were established by dual-platform flow cytometry (3,5,6,(9)(10)(11)(12)(14)(15)(16)(17).Healthy blood and apheresis donors from the local blood transfusion service were recruited for the establishment of the reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets by the use of single-platform flow cytometry. Single-platform flow cytometry allows simultaneous identification and enumeration of total CD3ϩ B cells, and CD56 ϩ natural killer cell population percentages and absolute cell counts. Further manipulation of the specimens to obtain absolute white cell count and differential count by a separated automatic hematology cell counter are avoided by the incorporation of a known quantity of microfluorospheres in the flow cytometry step (2). The whole procedure is more robust, convenient, and reproducible than the traditional dual-platform flow cytometry. Gender-and age-related differences in the lymphocyte subsets were evaluated. The results were also compared with those from different ethnic groups. The influence of sex and age on the lymphocyte composition and comparison with data from both Asian and non-Asian populations will be discussed.

PGS Scaffolds Promote the In Vivo Survival and Directional Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Restoring the Morphology and Function of Wounded Rat Uterus

“…In this study, PGS with a weight‐average molecular weight of 24.3 kDa and a polydispersity index of 1.30 was synthesized via polyesterification of sebacic acid and glycerol as previously described . Then, a PGS porous scaffold with a porosity of 90.6 ± 0.7% was prepared by salt leaching method.…”

“…Synthesis of PGS : PGS was synthesized as previously described . Recry sallized sebacic acid (J & K, 99%) and anhydrous glycerol (Sigma‐Aldrich, ≥99.5%) were mixed and stirred at 120 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere for 24 h. Then, the reactants were stirred at 120 °C under vacuum (1 Torr) for another 24 h to produce PGS.…”

Bioactive Electrospun Fibers of Poly(glycerol sebacate) and Poly(ε‐caprolactone) for Cardiac Patch Application

“…In recent years, poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) ( Figure A) has been increasingly used for biomedical applications, particularly in the area of the cardiovascular system, owing to its attractive features such as ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tailorable mechanical and degradation properties . However, in spite of its positive attributes, the processing of PGS fibers is rather challenging as the PGS prepolymer possesses low molecular weight and requires high temperature and vacuum crosslinking . Therefore, to spun PGS fibers, one approach has been to blend PGS with other polymers of both natural and synthetic origin.…”

Stability of Cellular Immune Parameters over 12 Weeks in Patients with Major Depression or Somatoform Disorder and in Healthy Controls

“…This may lead to the question whether fluctuations in women could be explained in part by influences of gonadal hormones. Colleagues described that apoptotic rates in T cells are different in males and females due to different androgen levels and that counts and percentages of CD3 + T cells and CD56 + NK cells differ in males and females [44]. There are also findings that the number of NK cells changes during the menstrual cycle [45].…”

“…Further influence on values of immune cells is exerted in ethnic groups [44], parameters that should be considered in future studies.…”