Modulation of cellular immunity in malnutrition: effect of interleukin 1 on suppressor T cell activity.

T-lymphocyte mitogenesis is impaired in protein-energy malnutrition. The effect of interleukin 1 (IL-1) on the augmentation of suppressor cell activity during concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation was measured using IL-1 and lymphocytes from protein malnourished and control rabbits. Addition of IL-1 to lymphocyte cultures from control donors enhanced the suppression of fresh lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Addition of IL-1 to lymphocyte cultures from malnourished donors abrograted the suppressor cell activity. Isoelectric focusing showed the presence of a protein band with a pI of about 7.0 in the IL-1 supernatants from protein malnourished and control donors. The results suggest that severe protein malnutrition alters the ability of T-lymphocytes to respond appropriately to IL-1 rather than simply affecting synthesis of this monokine.