title: Impaired T lymphocyte function and differential cytokine response pattern in members from cancer families.
abstract: In an attempt to understand the basis of lowered natural killer (NK) and T cell functions in unaffected members from cancer families, we investigated cytotoxic T lymphocyte function (CD3-directed lysis) and the ability of the lymphocytes to respond to cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-alpha and IL-12. We observed lower CD3-mediated cytotoxic activity in these individuals supported by significantly lower numbers of circulating CD3+ lymphocytes. The cytokine treatment studies revealed impaired response to IFN-alpha and IL-12 in unaffected members and breast cancer patients. The observations presented herein not only reinforce our earlier finding that lower NK and T lymphocyte function may be a feature of cancer families, but also suggest that such impaired responses may be one of the factors contributing to lower cytotoxic potential of the circulating lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Cancer Research Institute, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Shevde
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Advani
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nadkarni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12