Alterations of in vitro interleukin 1 and 2 in diabetic children.
We studied interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) production in unstimulated and stimulated cultures from 27 young diabetic patients and 21 age-matched healthy subjects. In unstimulated cultures monocytes from newly diagnosed patients produced significantly higher levels of IL-1 than controls. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cultures, IL-1 production in patients with fresh and long-standing diabetes was no different from that of controls. IL-2 production was low or absent in unstimulated cultures from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and controls. In phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures both patient groups produced significantly less IL-2 than controls. No correlation was observed between IL-1, IL-2 production and HbA1 levels or the presence of HLA-DR3 or DR4. Our data on "spontaneous" IL-1 production support the hypothesis that monocytes from some newly diagnosed IDDM patients may circulate in a "preactivated" state. The low levels of IL-2 might be explained by an abnormal consumption or by the presence of increased soluble IL-2 receptor levels or by a serum factor which interferes with IL-2 production. Alternatively, it may be a genetically determined trait.
Lorini
R
R
Department of Paediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy.
Montagna
D
D
Lanfranchi
A
A
Cortona
L
L
Livieri
C
C
Larizza
D
D
d'Annunzio
G
G
Severi
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism
D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2