An unusual T-cell surface phenotype in vivo correlates with the failure to proliferate and produce IL-2 in vitro in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency.
Stimulation of T-lymphocytes derived from some patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) syndrome results in defective proliferation. The underlying mechanism is related to the inability of stimulated cells to secrete IL-2 while the expression of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) is normal. We have identified a patient whose peripheral T-cells failed to proliferate and secrete IL-2 upon stimulation. The addition of recombinant IL-2 restored proliferation. The defect did not seem to be caused by accessory cell failure since the patient's adherent cells produced IL-1 and IL-6, and addition of allogeneic irradiated cells did not induce proliferation. Stimulation of CVID T-cells with phorbol esters and Ca2+ ionophore induced both IL-2 secretion and proliferation, indicating the absence of a defect in the transcription and/or translation of the IL-2 gene. The patient's T-cells expressed high levels of CD3. The majority of T-cells expressed the CD38 molecule which is normally found on thymocytes or activated T-cells but not peripheral blood T-cells and HLA-DR, another activation marker. However, CD25 (the IL-2R) and CD1, a marker of more immature thymocytes, were not expressed. Finally, the patient's cells were sensitive to an in vitro corticosteroid treatment. The possibilities that this patient's T-cells represent anergic T-cells or not fully matured thymocytes are discussed.
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016923:Cell Death; D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000001:Calcimycin; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate