Ethanol-induced CD3 and CD2 hyporesponsiveness of peripheral blood T lymphocytes

Abstract

The functional relevance of a direct ethanol effect on the membrane structure of T lymphocytes and accessory cells (APC), as well as on signal transduction systems was studied in ten normal subjects. Ethanol incubation (80 mM for 24h) of highly purified T cells increased the number of CD4⁺/CD45RA⁺ lymphocytes. In contrast, ethanol exposure induced a drop in CD14⁺/LFA-3⁺ APC values. These changes were accompanied by faulty T-cell proliferation in response to anti-CD3 and anti-CD2 mAb and inhibition of CD3- and CD2-mediated rises in intracellular calcium and, to a lesser extent, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate levels.

These data clearly indicate that a membrane-specific ethanol interaction both modifies surface glycoproteic and/or glycolipidic structures and alters transmembrane transduction of the activation signals.