Use of A Protein Synthesis Inhibition Assay to Demonstrate the Effect of T-2 Toxin on Lymphoid Subpopulations in vitro

Abstract

The trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 has been shown to damage and impair the components of the mammalian immune system. It appears to act at the ribosomal level, inhibiting the initiation of protein synthesis. Thymus­ derived lymphocytes (T-cells) have been shown in vivo and in vitro to be particularly sensitive to T-2 toxin. It has been hypothesized that certain subpopulations of T­ cells may be more sensitive than others. In this thesis, T-cell subpopulations were separated using monoclonal antibodies and complement, the cells were stimulated with the mitogen Conconavalin A and tested using a protein synthesis inhibition (PSI) assay. Antibodies to cell markers L3T4 and LYT2 were used to define T-suppressor and T-helper subpopulations respectively. T-2 toxin was titrated against total T lymphocytes and the concentration 10 ngs per ml was chosen to use in PSI assays of T-helper and T-suppressor cells. Results indicate that T-suppressor cells were significantly (p=.05) more sensitive to T-2 toxin in vitro than T-helper cells.