Immuno-modulation of human lymphocyte function by desferroxamine (Desferal).
Desferroxamine inhibits lectin-stimulated proliferation of human lymphocytes. Inhibition is not due to toxic effect of the drug as it could be completely reversed by iron. It is found that the drug impairs the expression of both the total and high-affinity interleukin-2 (IL-2)-binding receptors on lymphoid cells in response to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin. IL-2 production by mitogen-stimulated T4+T8- and T8+T4- populations is also markedly reduced by desferroxamine treatment. Decreased secretion of macrophage inhibition factor and macrophage activation factor is also observed as the result of the lymphocytes of the helper/delayed hypersensitivity subset being exposed to the drug. Collectively, our results suggest that desferroxamine interferes with the early activation events of human lymphokine-producing lymphocytes.
D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2
D008222:Lymphokines; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003676:Deferoxamine