title: Impaired production of interleukin-2 in peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis.
abstract: In twelve patients with active sarcoidosis we attempted to explain the nature of reduced release on interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the consequent impairment in lymphoproliferative in vitro responses. The addition of exogenous IL-2 containing supernatants was unable to completely restore the defective uptake of 3H-Thymidine suggesting that an impairment of IL-2 producer cells is not enough to explain the in vitro hyporesponsiveness of sarcoid lymphocytes. We also found a reduced number of precursors of IL-2 responder cells, as defined by peripheral blood lymphocytes bearing Tac determinant following in vitro stimulation with mitogens. The abnormalities of both IL-2 producer cells and precursors of IL-2 responder cells in peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis are discussed, stressing the importance of the concept of compartmentalization of T lymphocytes in this disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins