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Modulation of interleukin-1 induced thymocyte proliferation by D-mannose
1Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20889.
Insights
D-mannose, a simple sugar, was found to significantly inhibit thymocyte proliferation, a key immune cell response to cytokines. This carbohydrate may offer a novel way to modulate immune function in certain diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
Background:
- Cytokines are crucial signaling molecules in immune responses.
- Thymocytes are essential T-cell precursors that undergo proliferation upon stimulation.
- Understanding factors that modulate immune cell proliferation is vital for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various carbohydrates on murine thymocyte proliferation.
- To determine if specific carbohydrates can inhibit cytokine-induced immune cell growth.
- To explore the potential of carbohydrate-mediated immune modulation.
Main Methods:
- Murine thymocytes were cultured with different carbohydrates.
- Proliferation was induced using recombinant interleukin-1 (rIL-1), native IL-1, IL-2, and pokeweed mitogen.
- Cell viability was assessed using trypan blue exclusion.
Main Results:
- D-mannose (4-10 mM) significantly inhibited thymocyte proliferation induced by rIL-1 and native IL-1.
- The inhibitory effect was specific to D-mannose and methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside; L-mannose and D-glucose had no effect.
- Mannose also inhibited proliferation induced by IL-2 and pokeweed mitogen.
- Mannose was effective even when added 48 hours post-initiation and showed no toxicity to thymocytes.
Conclusions:
- Specific carbohydrates, particularly D-mannose, can significantly inhibit T-cell proliferation.
- Mannose's ability to block cytokine activity suggests a potential role in managing pathological conditions.
- These findings support the hypothesis that carbohydrate manipulation can alter immune function.
Abstract:
We examined the effect of various carbohydrates on the proliferative response of murine thymocytes to cytokines. The monosaccharide, D-mannose (4-10 mM), significantly inhibited thymocyte proliferation induced by recombinant interleukin-1 (rIL-1). Mannose also inhibited the proliferation response to native, human IL-1. Inhibition was specific for D-mannose and methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Other carbohydrates, including L-mannose and D-glucose did not inhibit thymocyte growth. Thymocyte proliferation induced by either IL-2 or pokeweed mitogen was also inhibited by mannose. Mannose was effective in inhibiting T-cell proliferation even when added 48 hours after the start of the experiment. Mannose did not appear to be toxic to the thymocytes as judged by trypan blue exclusion. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that specific carbohydrates may alter immune function. Manipulation of immune function via blocking cytokine activity may be useful in certain pathological conditions.
