title: Effect of copper on activation of human T cells.
abstract: Immunomodulatory properties of copper were investigated. Human T cells, isolated from blood of healthy donors, were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and cultured in vitro. It was found that copper sulphate depressed T cell proliferation when added in concentration of 10(-3) M. A slight increase in the T cell proliferation was shown in presence of 10(-5) M of copper ion while 10(-7)-10(-9) M had no effect on proliferation. Production of interleukin 2 by human T cells was depressed by all investigated doses of copper. The obtained results suggest the direct toxicity of copper on T cell activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kucharz
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sierakowski
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D003300:Copper