Abstract
Se is an essential micronutrient in humans and animals which plays a key role in many biological processes including the immune response. The in vitro effects of Se as sodium selenite on target binding and lytic activities of lymphocytes were investigated. A human erythroleukemia cell line, K562, and a human histiocytic lymphoma cell line, U937, were used in a 4 hrs 51Cr release assay and in single cell assay in agarose to determine target cell binding and cytotoxic activity. Normal lymphocytes precultured for 48 to 72 hrs with as low as 5 to 200 ng Se/ml produced significant enhancement of their NK activity as well as target binding capacity. Lymphocytes precultured with Se at higher but non-toxic concentrations ranging from 400 to 800 ng/mI showed significant inhibition of NK activity. Inhibition of cytotoxicity by Se was independent of target binding by effector cells, thus indicating that its mode of action is on post-binding functions. These studies suggest that Se has a bimodal immunoregulatory effect on the NK activity of human lymphocytes. These findings may be of significance in developing nutritional protocols for the treatment of primary and secondary immunodeficiency states.
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Nair, M., Schwartz, S. DIFFERENTIAL IN VITRO EFFECT OF SELENIUM (Se) ON NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 315 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00885
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00885