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Clonal analysis of the effect of iron on human cytotoxic and proliferating T lymphocytes
Author(s) -
Rudd Michael J.,
Good Michael F.,
Chapman D. E.,
Powell L. W.,
Halliday J. W.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1990.43
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , ferric , cloning (programming) , cd8 , transferrin , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , lymphocyte , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , immune system , in vitro , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language
Summary The immunoregulatory effect of non‐transferrin‐bound iron (Fe 3+ ) on the proliferative and cytotoxic responses of normal human T lymphocytes was studied using a sensitive limit‐dilution technique capable of detecting the responses of individual lymphocytes. Iron, present in the form of ferric citrate at concentrations from 0·03 to 1·0 mmol/L. significantly reduced the cloning frequency of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. The effect of iron appeared, however, to be targeted to individual clones in that some clones that did grow in the presence of iron achieved a normal rate of proliferation. Thus, iron was not non‐specifically toxic. At these same concentrations ferric citrate also produced significant reductions in the cloning frequency of CD4 + CD8‐ precursor T lymphocytes. Reductions in the response of T lymphocyte precursors capable of cytotoxic activity occurred in the presence of ferric citrate from 0·1 to 1·0 mmol/L. These data support the hypothesis that non‐transferrin‐bound iron has an immunoregulatory role in cell‐mediated immunity.