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Competition of IL-1 and IL-1ra determines lymphocyte response to delayed stimulation with PHA

M P Dabrowski1, W Stankiewicz, T Płusa

  • 1Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Microwave Safety, Warsaw, Poland.

Mediators of Inflammation
|September 8, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) lose reactivity over time due to an inhibitory agent. This study found that the lymphocyte-monokine interaction (LM) index, reflecting PHA response, is inversely related to IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratios, suggesting diagnostic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) lose their reactivity to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation after 24 hours in culture.
  • This loss of reactivity is reversible by adding medium from other lymphocytes or PHA-stimulated cultures, suggesting inhibitory agent accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of monocytes and their products, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), in this phenomenon.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic significance of quantifying lymphocyte response to delayed PHA stimulation in inflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Determined the lymphocyte-monokine interaction (LM) index in PBMC microcultures from healthy donors and patients with acute tonsillitis.
  • Compared LM indices with IL-1ra/IL-1beta concentration ratios using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Assessed the effects of exogenous IL-1beta, IL-1ra, anti-IL1ra antibodies, and cefaclor on monokine levels and LM index.

Main Results:

  • Lymphocyte response (LM index) is inversely proportional to the IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratio in PBMC cultures.
  • Healthy donors showed low LM values with high IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratios, while patients with acute tonsillitis exhibited reversed proportions.
  • Cefaclor reduced LM values and increased IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratios.

Conclusions:

  • The LM assay, reflecting delayed PHA response, is inversely correlated with IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratios.
  • Altered LM index and IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratios in patients suggest potential for immunodiagnostic applications.
  • The findings highlight the role of IL-1ra/IL-1beta balance in regulating lymphocyte response and its diagnostic relevance.

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