Low-affinity E-rosette-blocking factor in hemodialysis-treated patients in chronic renal failure

Abstract

Enumeration of total E-rosette-forming cells (t-ERFC) enabled 30 renal failure patients on hemodialysis to be classified into three groups: group 1 with normal numbers of t-ERFC, and groups 2A and 2B with reversibly and irreversibly reduced numbers, respectively. Duration of dialysis treatment was the only distinguishing feature between these three groups, being shorter for group 1 than for group 2A ( P < 0.02) and shorter for group 2A than for group 2B ( P < 0.001). However, a rosette-blocking factor (RBF) was demonstrated in all three groups which predominantly affected the low-affinity ERFC (i.e., total ERFC minus active ERFC). This factor could be partially absorbed ( P < 0.01) on normal lymphocytes and showed increased activity after a single dialysis session, suggesting the removal by dialysis of a putative anti-RBF substance.