Impaired interleukin-2 production by T-lymphocytes in polycythemia vera.
T-lymphocyte function was investigated in a group of eight patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and 13 normals. Responsiveness of T-cells to stimulation by mitogen was significantly impaired in the PV patients (p = .02). Analysis of immune cell subpopulation composition by assessment of cell surface phenotype did not reveal imbalances that could account for impaired T-cell proliferative ability in PV patients. Addition of recombinant human interleukin-1 to PV mononuclear cell cultures did not enhance proliferative ability. Addition of recombinant human interleukin-2 to cultures had no effect on maximum mitogen stimulation in normals but significantly improved responses in PV patients (p less than .02), correcting them to normal levels. Measurement of interleukin-2 production by stimulated cultured mononuclear cells confirmed subnormal IL-2 production by PV T-cells (p less than .00005). Impaired IL-2 production could conceivably contribute to the pathogenesis of PV by limiting the ability of IL-2-dependent cells to regulate hematopoiesis.
Paul
C C
CC
Department of Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio.
Baumann
M A
MA
D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2