The effect of G-CSF on lymphocyte subsets and CD34+cells in allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating Factor (G-CSF) on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and CD34+ cell frequency in the apheresis product has been determined in 25 healthy stem cell donors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were collected after five days of G-CSF 10 mug/kg/day s.c., which was well tolerated. The median number of leukocytes increased eight-fold over that of pretreatment levels. Collection of PBMNC lasted a median of two (range. 1-3) days. The mean mononuclear cell (MNC) count and total lymphocyte percentage were 6.69 x 10(8)/kg and 59.08%, respectively. and the frequency of CD34+ cell expression was 2.1% in the apheresis product. The frequency of CD3+, CD4+, CD25+, NK and CD122+ cell expressions in mobilized PBMNC and PBL showed no significant difference. However, the frequency of CD8+, CD8+28+, CD3+DR+, CD19+. CD20+ and CD22+ B cells expression in the apheresis product increased significantly compared to steady-state PBL. In contrast, the frequency of the CD11a+ and CD8+38+ cell expressions in the apheresis product was decreased compared to the steady-state PBL. The mean yield of CD34+ and CD3+ cells were 13.6 x 10(6) and 2.69 x 10(8)/kg of recipient body weight (RBW), respectively. Following allograft all patients engrafted with >0.5 x 10(9)/l neutrophiland greater than or equal to 20 x 10(9)/l platelets on a median of day 13 and 12, respectively. Nine patients had grade II-IV acute GVHD and chronic GVHD occurred in eight patients. Four patients died due to transplant-related complications. There was one late engraftment failure which occurred on the fifth month. Thirteen patients are still alive. In conclusion, these results indicate that administration of G-CSF at 10 mug/kg/day in normal donors alters the lymphocyte subsets and there are significant differences in the lymphocyte contents of the recipients before apheresis and in apheresis product. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.