title: Hexadecylphosphocholine-mediated enhancement of T-cell responses to interleukin 2.
abstract: The effect of low-dose hexadecylphosphocholine (He-PC) on normal peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) was studied. Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) production, interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, and HLA-DR antigen expression were investigated, representing typical T-cell activation parameters. In PMNC cultures, He-PC dose-dependently enhanced the production of IFN-g, provided IL-2 had been added exogenously. Without IL-2 He-PC was ineffective. In some cultures, at a concentration of 8 micrograms/ml He-PC stimulated the secretion of IFN-g more than 20-fold compared to untreated controls. Although He-PC by itself lacked mitogenic activity, this compound also stimulated IFN-g production in the presence of suboptimal doses of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that He-PC also increased IL-2 receptor and HLA-DR antigen expression under these experimental conditions. Taken together, these results indicate that He-PC may possess immunomodulatory activity also in vivo, acting as a costimulator for the IL-2-mediated T-cell activation process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vehmeyer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scheurich
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eibl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Unger
mesh_terms: D004357:Drug Synergism; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C039128:miltefosine; D007371:Interferon-gamma