Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Ther Med. 2018 Jul;16(1):83-92 Authors: Zhou M, Dai J, Zhou Y, Wu J, Xu T, Zhou D, Wang X Abstract Postoperative immunosuppression is associated with the recurrence and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Propofol is a commonly used intravenous anesthetic and has been reported to be associated with immunosuppression; however, little is known about its effect on innate immune cells during the postoperative period in patients with ESCC. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of propofol on the phenotype and cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of patients with ESCC. The percentage, phenotype and function of NK cells were compared between patients with ESCC and healthy volunteers using flow cytometry. NK cells were negatively sorted using magnetic beads and cocultured with propofol to assess changes in phenotype and function. The results revealed that the percentage of NK cells was significantly increased in the peripheral blood of patients with ESCC, while their activity and cytotoxicity were impaired. NK cells were successfully separated from peripheral blood in vitro and it was demonstrated that propofol enhanced their activity by influencing the expression of activating or inhibitory receptors. Furthermore, propofol w...
Source: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine - Category: General Medicine Tags: Exp Ther Med Source Type: research