Abstract
Background. Cytokines are the most important secretions of the immune system and have a wide range of immunoregulatory functions in various immune disorders and T‐cell malignancy. The authors have determined that characteristic enhanced autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) of the lymph node‐derived malignant T‐cells from peripheral T‐cell lymphomas is a function of the T‐cell derived cytokines interleukin (IL) 2, IL‐4, and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐τ).
Methods. Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction assay was performed by the standard proliferative response (3H‐thymidine incorporation), by culturing autologous lymph node‐derived or blood‐purified T‐cells with autologous blood‐purified mitomycin‐c treated non‐T‐cells. The production of IL‐2, IL‐4, and IFN‐τ in the AMLR cultures was determined by bioassay or enzyme immunoassays.
Results. Enhanced IL‐2 and IFN‐τ but deficient IL‐4 production is the most characteristic and unique feature of the a ugmented AMLR in peripheral T‐cell lymphomas.
Conclusion. The immunoregulatory aberrations in lymph node‐derived malignant T‐cells that produce highly elevated IL‐2 and IFN‐τ but decreased IL‐4 during augmented AMLR may play an important role in immune dysfunction in this neoplasm (peripheral T‐cell lymphomas).