Open Access

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

  • Authors:
    • Min Zhou
    • Junchao Dai
    • Yu Zhou
    • Jian Wu
    • Tao Xu
    • Denglian Zhou
    • Xiaobin Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 8, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6140
  • Pages: 83-92
  • Copyright: © Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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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 was able to increase the cytotoxicity of NK cells from the peripheral blood of patients with ESCC. These results suggest that propofol is able to improve the function of NK cells in patients with ESCC and may therefore be an appropriate anesthetic for ESCC surgery.
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July-2018
Volume 16 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhou M, Dai J, Zhou Y, Wu J, Xu T, Zhou D and Wang X: Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Ther Med 16: 83-92, 2018
APA
Zhou, M., Dai, J., Zhou, Y., Wu, J., Xu, T., Zhou, D., & Wang, X. (2018). Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 16, 83-92. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6140
MLA
Zhou, M., Dai, J., Zhou, Y., Wu, J., Xu, T., Zhou, D., Wang, X."Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16.1 (2018): 83-92.
Chicago
Zhou, M., Dai, J., Zhou, Y., Wu, J., Xu, T., Zhou, D., Wang, X."Propofol improves the function of natural killer cells from the peripheral blood of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16, no. 1 (2018): 83-92. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6140