Colony-forming lymphocytes in man. I. In vivo effect of hydrocortisone on phytohaemagglutinin-induced T cell colony formation
Gupta, S.; Damle, N.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 45(3): 557-561
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6978207 Document Number: 177613
The effect of a single dose (300 mg) of i.v. hydrocortisone on T cell colony and cluster formation was examined in healthy normal volunteers. Peripheral venous blood was drawn before and 4 and 24 h following administration of the drug. T cell colonies (> 50 cells/aggregate) and clusters (10-50 cells/aggregate) in response to PHA were assayed by 1-stage stimulation in a microagar culture using glass capillaries. The maximum numbers of colonies and clusters were observed between days 7 and 8 of culture. At 4 h following administration of the drug, colony and cluster counts were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Colony and cluster counts returned to the initial levels 24 h following administration of the drug. These changes in T cell clusters and colonies were accompanied with changes in the proportions of T cells with IgM (T.mu.) and IgG (T.gamma.) receptors. A single dose of i.v. hydrocortisone apparently depresses T cell clonal expansion. This effect probably could be secondary to the redistribution of a subpopulation of T cells among peripheral blood and other lymphoid tissues and is perhaps not due to a direct suppression of the proliferative response. The significance of these observations is discussed.