How T-lymphocytes are activated and become activators by cell-cell interaction.

Immunological descriptions support the role of direct contact between T-lymphocytes and monocytes at the site of inflammatory lesions. The following will therefore focus on the role of direct contact between stimulated T-lymphocytes and monocytes in the production of cytokines and cytokine inhibitors, as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) by monocytes. The role of T-lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), endothelial cells and fibroblast-like cells will also be discussed. Blocking the interaction between T-lymphocytes and monocytes may provide a useful approach to therapeutic intervention.