Protein Starvation Impairs the Ability of Activated Lymphocytes to Produce Interferon-γ

Abstract

The impairment of lymphocyte function in nutritionally deprived rats was studied. Lymphocytes from rats fed a diet lacking protein showed a severe decrease in their ability to proliferate when stimulated with mitogens. This was accompanied by a dramatic inhibition of interferonγ (IFN-γ) production and a lesser decrease in the release of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Analysis of RNA levels by Northern blot hybridization confirmed that lymphocytes from protein-starved rats had lower levels of mRNAs for IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-2 receptor than those from control animals. Protein deprivation therefore leads to a modification of lymphocyte function such that IFN-γ production in particular is severely impaired.