Abnormal T-lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic responses induced by a neonatal injection of hydrocortisone: normalization by interleukin-2 addition.
Spleen cells from mice neonatally treated with hydrocortisone hemisuccinate (HHC) had an abnormal pattern of cell-mediated immunity when tested two weeks later. Mitogen-induced proliferation was reduced. The proliferative responses to allo-antigens were normal but the cytotoxic response thereby induced was impaired. The mechanisms of these anomalies are complex: reduction of cytotoxic precursors as measured by limiting dilution assays; enhancement of suppressor cells which are able to reduce the cytotoxic response of normal spleen cells; reduction of interleukin-2 (Il-2) production. The addition of exogenous Il-2 restores normal proliferative and cytotoxic responses.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D037102:Lectins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D006854:Hydrocortisone