Effect of copper on activation of human T cells

Immunomodulatory properties of copper were investigated. Human T cells, isolated from blood of healthy donors, were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and cultured in vitro. It was found that copper sulphate depressed T cell proliferation when added in concentration of 10(-3) M. A slight increase in the T cell proliferation was shown in presence of 10(-5) M of copper ion while 10(-7)-10(-9) M had no effect on proliferation. Production of interleukin 2 by human T cells was depressed by all investigated doses of copper. The obtained results suggest the direct toxicity of copper on T cell activation.