EFFECTS OF OLEIC-ACID ON MURINE CD4(-CELL DEATH AND ANTI-CD3 OR SUPERANTIGEN INDUCED PROLIFERATION AT LOW-TEMPERATURE() T)

Studies were conducted to examine the effects of low, yet physiologica lly relevant, temperatures on murine T lymphocyte responses. Akin to e ctothermic vertebrate responses, lectin-induced murine T cell prolifer ation was previously shown to be ablated at temperatures 10 degrees C below optimal (i.e. 27 degrees C); responsiveness at 27 degrees C was restored by the addition of oleic acid (18:1). The aim of the present study was to address the mechanism involved in such low temperature su ppression. Murine splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes stimulated with either alpha CD3 or SEB exhibited cell death, as opposed to anergy, at 27 deg rees C. However proliferation was observed in the presence of 18:1. Th us low temperature-suppression of murine CD4(+) T cells is also mediat ed through TCR and/or CD3 pathways. Additional studies examining the t emporal effects of adding 18:1, as well as temperature shifts, indicat ed that the cell death induced by stimulation at low temperature was p reventable by 18:1. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.