Changes of subtype T lymphocytes in blood after implanting with xenogeneic acellular bone matrix

Objective: To observe the changes of immune status in recipient after implanting with xenogeneic acellular bone matrix (ACBM).

Methods: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups. Autograft, ACBM and bone soaked in alcohol were implanted into the 3 experimental groups separately, and No-treatment was done as control group. The CD4+, CD8+, CD25+ T lymphocytes in blood were detected by flow cytometer at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation. After 2 and 6 weeks of implantation, the changes of bone and tissue were observed by histology.

Results: After 2-6 weeks, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in the implanted group of bone soaked in alcohol than that in the other 3 groups (P < 0.05) and there was no statistically significant difference in the other 3 groups (P > 0.05). After 2 weeks, CD25+ T cells were significantly higher in the implanted group of bone soaked in alcohol than that in the other groups. In the 2nd week, there were inflammatory infiltration with a predominance of granulocytes. In the 6th week, there were many fibroblasts instead of granulocytes with a few lymphocytes and cartilage island formed in the implanted groups of autograft and ACBM.

Conclusions: ACBM implanting has low influence on cellular immunity in recipient.