title: Effect of insulin and transferrin in the maintenance of the activated state of the T-lymphocyte induced by allo-antigen.
abstract: Insulin is an immuno-modulating molecule enhancing cytotoxic T-cell function and supporting intermediary metabolism in activated lymphocytes. Insulin also maintains the activated state of mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes. Because of the importance of allo-antigen response of diabetic patients for infections and transplant immunity, we explored the role of insulin in the allo-activated state of lymphocytes. Allo-stimulation was provided in one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions, with Balb/C mouse lymph node cells responding to irradiated spleen cells of C57BL/6 mice, in culture under conditions which permitted evaluation of hormonal modulation. Mixed lymphocyte reactions established in fetal calf serum, insulin-depleted by passage over antibody affinity columns, were of equal magnitude to those in insulin-replete serum. A weak but positive mixed lymphocyte reaction can be effected with an artificial serum substitute containing no additional hormone. Provision of insulin (10 nmol/l) restored a full mixed lymphocyte reaction response which was mimicked by addition of transferrin. The insulin-transferrin combination was not additive. In conclusion, insulin and transferrin maintain the allo-activated state of the mouse lymphocyte, transferrin alone being sufficient when full antigenic stimulation is provided. If the same applies to human lymphocytes, insulin-deficient diabetic patients will respond to full allo-antigen challenge, and so should be fully capable of mounting a transplant immune response.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007519:Isoantigens; D014168:Transferrin