Chemoattractant lymphokines specific for the helper/inducer T-lymphocyte subset

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Inflammatory sites contain T-lymphocytes, regulated by local chemoattractant factors.
• Previously identified T-lymphocyte-specific factors include LCF, LyMIF75K, and LyMIF35K.
• These factors are produced by human T cells upon stimulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the specific T-lymphocyte subsets responsible for producing LCF and LyMIFs.
• To identify the T-lymphocyte subsets chemoattracted or inhibited by these factors.
• To elucidate the role of these factors in recruiting T-lymphocytes to inflammatory sites.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of lymphokine production by specific T-lymphocyte subsets (OKT4+ and OKT8+).
• Assays to determine chemoattractant and migration inhibitory activities of LCF, LyMIF75K, and LyMIF35K.
• Analysis of T-lymphocyte subset recruitment to inflammatory sites.

Main Results:

• LCF and LyMIF35K are produced by OKT8+ and OKT4+ T-lymphocytes, respectively.
• Both LCF and LyMIF35K selectively chemoattract OKT4+ lymphocytes.
• LyMIF75K, produced by OKT4+ cells, inhibits migration of both OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

• Specific T-lymphocyte subsets produce distinct chemoattractant and inhibitory lymphokines.
• Production of LCF and LyMIF35K by infiltrating lymphocytes may selectively recruit unactivated helper/inducer T-lymphocytes to inflammation.
• These findings provide insights into the regulation of T-lymphocyte populations at inflammatory sites.