T-Lymphocyte Mitogenicity of Condensed Tannin and Cotton Dust Extract

Z. Vuk-Pavlovic', M.S. Rohrbach, and J.A. Russell


 
ABSTRACT

Willoughby and Willoughby (1,2) have demonstrated that the presence of mitogens in inhaled environmental pollutants increases the inflammatory response mounted by the lungs. Here we report that condensed tannins, a major component of cotton milldust, are potent mitogens for human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes in vitro. Tannin causes the time and dose dependent proliferation of human T-lymphocytes. A maximal proliferative response occurs at a tannin concentration of 100 pg/mL and is essentially equivalent to the proliferative response to a maximal dose of the well characterized T-mitogen, Concanaval in A. The time course for tannin induced T-lymphocyte proliferation is similar to that for other mitogens. Also like other mitogens, monocytes are required for a maximal response. Aqueous cotton dust extract also is mitogenic for human T-lymphocytes. However, the proliferative response was lower than predicted on the basis of its tannin content. Activation of T-lymphocytes present in the airways by tannin could result in mediator production that contributes to the pathogenesis of byssinosis.



Reprinted from Cotton Dust: Proceedings-12th Cotton Dust Research Conference 1988 pp. 103 - 105
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998