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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 99-101 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Diabetologia |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 1 Supplement |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1984 |
Keywords
- T-lymphocyte
- Transferrin
- allo-antigen mouse
- insulin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism