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Transferrin-like Autocrine Growth Factor, Derived from T-Lymphoma Cells, That Inhibits Normal T-Cell Proliferation¹

Institute of Experimental and Clinical Oncology, Medical School, University of Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro [G. M., L. C., M. C. T., M. D. F., S. V.] and Institute of Biochemical Sciences, II Medical School, Naples [R. P., S. B.], Italy

Transferrin, the major iron-binding protein in the plasma of vertebrate species, is an essential growth factor for cells in serum free medium. We have established a cell line, Fr, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient affected by Sézary syndrome. Fr cells show a very immature antigenic phenotype, while constitutively bearing transferrin receptor on their surface. Furthermore the Fr line does not produce or respond to interleukin 2. Finally its conditioned medium contains both a growth stimulating activity for the Fr cell line and a factor which inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation. We have identified a protein, produced in large amounts by Fr cells, which shares the immunological properties of human transferrin. Our data suggest that this transferrin-like factor can act as an autocrine growth factor for the producer cells and as an inhibitory factor for normal lymphocytes.

¹ This work was supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche projects "Oncologia" and "Ingegneria Genetica e Basi Molecolari delle Malattie Ereditarie" and by grants from Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 8/10/87. Revised 2/26/88. Accepted 3/ 7/88.