Effect of an iron-chelating agent on lymphocyte proliferation

The effect of the iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine on lymphocyte proliferation has been studied. Desferrioxamine at concentrations of 15 microM totally inhibited the proliferation of Concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes, whereas iron-saturated desferrioxamine was ineffective. Other metal salts, however, had little or no effect on the inhibition induced by this drug. Desferrioxamine was more effective at suppressing proliferation of T lymphocytes than B lymphocytes and additionally suppressed mixed lymphocyte cultures and the generation of cytotoxic T cells.