Intra-epithelial lymphocytes: interferon-gamma production and suppressor/cytotoxic activities

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Abstract
Human intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) proliferative minimally in response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), but produce as much interleukin-2 (IL-2) as do peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The addition of sheep erythrocytes during activation of IEL with PHA markedly augments both T cell functions. This study evaluates the ability fo IEL to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-.gamma.) and to develop suppressor and cytotoxic activities when stimulated with mitogens in the presence or absence of sheep erythrocytes. PHA-activated IEL produced as much IFN-.gamma. as did PHA-activated peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes. IEL activated by concanavaline A (Con A) demonstrated less suppressor activity directed against T cell proliferation than did Con A-activated peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes. IEL generated less mitogen-induced cellular cytotoxicity and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity than did peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocytes. The addition of sheep erythrocyte lysates during mitogen stimulation of EIL markedly enhanced their proliferation and lympholine production but did not affect their suppressor or cytotoxic activities.