Monokine production by human T cells; IL-1 alpha production restricted to memory T cells.
The production of cytokines is a key event of inflammation. In this report we demonstrate that normal human T cells are capable to produce IL-1 alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, cytokines formerly considered to be monokines. This production was optimal after stimulation with a combination of anti-CD2, PMA, and anti-CD28. All three cytokines were produced in a bioactive form. Both naive (CD4+CD45RA+) and memory (CD4+CD45RO+) subsets of T cells were shown to produce similar amounts of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. In contrast the production of IL-1 alpha was found to be completely restricted to the CD4+CD45RO+ subset. The finding that T cells are such potent producers of these important mediators of the inflammatory response might be a key observation in the appreciation of the role of T cells in chronic inflammation.
van Kooten
C
C
Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Rensink
I
I
Pascual-Salcedo
D
D
van Oers
R
R
Aarden
L
L
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1