EFFECT OF IRON-DEFICIENCY ON THE RESPONSE OF MOUSE LYMPHOCYTES TO CONCANAVALIN-A - THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSFERRIN-BOUND IRON

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (2) , 325-332
Abstract
The in vitro response to Con A [concanvalin A] of lymphocytes from Fe-deficient and normal mice in media containing either 10% fetal calf serum, apotransferrin or 20% Fe-saturated transferrin was similar for the Fe-deficient and control groups. The degree of proliferation in serum-free medium containing apotransferrin was significantly lower in all groups, compared to the responses in media containg either 20% Fe-saturated transferrin or 10% fetal calf serum. Proliferation of lymphocytes from normal, Fe-deficient or Fe-repleted mice was lower in media supplemented with serum from Fe-deficient mice than when serum from normal or Fe-repleted mice was used. Addition of sufficient Fe to bring the Fe level of the deficient serum to that of normal serum significantly improved its ability to promote proliferation, while in vivo repletion of Fe-deficient mice resulted in a restoration of normal lymphocyte responses to Con A. The proportion of cells positive for Thy 1.2, Ly 1 and Ly 2 antigens did not differ significantly between any groups of mice. Protein synthesis by cells proliferating in serum-free medium containing apotransferrin or 20% Fe-saturated transferrin was the same in all groups of mice. Thus decreased lymphocyte proliferative responses in Fe deficiency may be due to inadequate levels of circulating transferrin-bound Fe rather than to intrinsic defects in the cells themselves or changes in the proportions of different T-cell subsets, and Fe availability does not affect protein synthesis by proliferating lymphocytes.