Normal T lymphocyte function in patients with end-stage renal disease hemodialyzed with 'high-flux' polysulfone membranes.

T lymphocyte function was analyzed in patients hemodialyzed with 'high-flux' polysulfone membranes, which have been reported to improve the patients' overall clinical condition and well-being. For comparison purposes, patients treated by the use of 'low-flux' cuprophane membranes were also studied. Peripheral blood white cell counts, numbers of lymphocytes as well as the numbers of T cells and their CD4 and CD8 subsets were within normal range in both patient groups. The absolute number of B cells was slightly decreased in cuprophane-membrane- but not polysulfone-membrane-treated patients. The proliferative response of T lymphocytes after stimulation with optimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was normal in patients treated with 'high-flux' membrane dialysis but significantly reduced in those treated with cuprophane membranes. The generation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor on T lymphocytes after PHA stimulation was normal in the polysulfone-membrane-treated group and slightly impaired in the cuprophane-membrane-dialyzed patients. Production of both IL-2 and interleukin-1, as well as the natural killer cell activity, in patients treated by 'high-flux' membrane dialysis were also comparable to controls. The levels of serum beta 2-microglobulin were significantly elevated in patients-maintained on 'high-flux' dialysis membranes but did not reach the levels seen in patients dialyzed by cuprophane membranes. The beta 2-microglobulin at levels seen in patients on cuprophane dialysis had no effects on activation and proliferation of control lymphocytes in vitro. These results suggest that impaired functional responses of T lymphocytes seen in end-stage disease patients on prolonged hemodialysis with cuprophane membranes are not seen in similar patients hemodialyzed with polysulfone membranes.