IL-4

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of IL-4

  • cell producing il-4
  • cytokine il-4
  • increased il-4
  • producing il-4
  • th2 cytokine il-4

  • Terms modified by IL-4

  • il-4 expression
  • il-4 level
  • il-4 mrna
  • il-4 mrna expression
  • il-4 production
  • il-4 receptor
  • il-4 response
  • il-4 secretion
  • il-4 treatment

  • Selected Abstracts


    22-ene-25-oxa-vitamin D: a new vitamin D analogue with profound immunosuppressive capacities

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 5 2005
    C. Daniel
    Abstract Background, The biologic role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, such as anti-inflammatory functions, reduction of cytokine production by T cells and immunoglobulin production by B cells, is well established. However, its clinical use as an immunosuppressive agent is limited because of the hypercalcemic toxicity occurring after systemic application. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunmodulatory effects of 22-ene-25-oxa-vitamin D (ZK156979), a novel low calcemic vitamin D analogue. Materials and methods, Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were isolated using the Ficoll Hypaque technique, cultured for 24 h and treated with different concentrations of ZK156979 ranging from 10,5 to 10,10 mol L,1 compared with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[10,5,10,10 mol L,1] following phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Interferon gamma (IFN,), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF,), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1,), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) secretion in supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results, ZK156979 inhibited the PHA-induced Th1-response (IFN, and TNF, levels) and the macrophage-product IL-1, in a concentration-dependent manner (10,10,10,5 mol L,1) with the efficiency on cytokine expression compared with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 being slightly reduced. In contrast, ZK156979 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 both affected the Th2 response, leading to significantly increased IL-10- and IL-4 secretion. Conclusions, ZK156979 is a member of novel vitamin D analogues revealing prominent immunomodulatory and suppressive characteristics with distinctive inhibition of Th1-cytokines whereas the Th2 compartment is augmented, thus providing a considerable therapeutic potential in T-cell -mediated diseases. [source]


    Interferon-, in healthy subjects: selective modulation of inflammatory mediators

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 6 2001
    J. De Metz
    Background It is suggested that interferon-, (IFN-,), like other cytokines, is a mediator in the host inflammatory response, which could be of importance in the pathophysiology of sepsis. The role of IFN-, in human host inflammatory responses, however, has not been studied. Design In a placebo-controlled trial we studied the acute effects of IFN-, administration on host inflammatory mediators in healthy men: i.e. the cytokine/chemokine cascade system, acute-phase proteins, activation markers of the innate cellular immunity and coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters. Results IFN-, increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and IFN-,-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) (P < 0·05), but did not affect plasma levels of other cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-,, IL-12p40/p70). Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and secretory phospholipase A2 both increased (P < 0·05). Plasma levels of the leucocyte activation marker elastase-,1,antitrypsin complexes increased after IFN-, administration (P < 0·05), IFN-, increased the percentage of high-affinity Fc,-receptor (Fc,RI) -positive neutrophils (P < 0·05), but did not affect the mean fluorescence intensity of Fc,RI on neutrophils. Procoagulant and profibrinolytic effects of IFN-, were evidenced by increased plasma levels of prothrombin fragment F1 + F2, tissue-plasminogen activator and plasmin-,2,antiplasmin complexes (P < 0·05). Conclusion We conclude that IFN-, selectively affects host inflammatory mediators in humans. [source]


    Interferon-, +874A/T and interleukin-4 intron3 VNTR gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
    Xiaoli Chen
    Abstract Objectives:, The polarization of Th1/Th2 towards Th1 contributes to the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Cytokines may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of ITP. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the interferon (IFN)-, +874(A/T) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron3 polymorphisms may be responsible in part for genetic susceptibility to ITP. Methods:, Genotyping of IFN-, +874A/T and IL-4 intron3 VNTR was performed in 196 patients with ITP and 128 healthy individuals by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers and direct PCR respectively. Results:, There was no association between IFN-, +874A/T and IL-4 intron3 VNTR polymorphism and ITP risk when all patients, as a group, were analyzed. When the patients were subdivided into two groups: childhood ITP and adult ITP, no statistical differences were found in the genotype and allele frequencies of IFN-, +874A/T and IL-4 intron3 VNTR between the two groups and the controls. Similar results were observed between acute childhood ITP, chronic childhood ITP, acute adult ITP or chronic adult ITP and the controls. Conclusion:, These polymorphisms were distributed similarly between the patients with ITP and the controls, demonstrating that these two candidate gene polymorphisms are not attributed to ITP susceptibility. [source]


    Targeting of LcrV virulence protein from Yersinia pestis to dendritic cells protects mice against pneumonic plague

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 10 2010
    Yoonkyung Do
    Abstract To help design needed new vaccines for pneumonic plague, we targeted the Yersinia pestis LcrV protein directly to CD8,+ DEC-205+ or CD8,, DCIR2+ DC along with a clinically feasible adjuvant, poly IC. By studying Y. pestis in mice, we could evaluate the capacity of this targeting approach to protect against a human pathogen. The DEC-targeted LcrV induced polarized Th1 immunity, whereas DCIR2-targeted LcrV induced fewer CD4+ T cells secreting IFN-,, but higher IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 production. DCIR-2 targeting elicited higher anti-LcrV Ab titers than DEC targeting, which were comparable to a protein vaccine given in alhydrogel adjuvant, but the latter did not induce detectable T-cell immunity. When DEC- and DCIR2-targeted and F1-V+ alhydrogel-vaccinated mice were challenged 6,wk after vaccination with the virulent CO92 Y. pestis, the protection level and Ab titers induced by DCIR2 targeting were similar to those induced by F1-V protein with alhydrogel vaccination. Therefore, LcrV targeting to DC elicits combined humoral and cellular immunity, and for the first time with this approach, also induces protection in a mouse model for a human pathogen. [source]


    Interleukin-4 downregulates CD127 expression and activity on human thymocytes and mature CD8+ T cells

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
    Angela M. Crawley
    Abstract Signaling via the IL-7 receptor complex (IL-7R,/CD127 and IL-2R,/CD132) is required for T-cell development and survival. Decreased CD127 expression has been associated with persistent viral infections (e.g. HIV, HCV) and cancer. Many IL-2R,-sharing (,C) cytokines decrease CD127 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in mice (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-15) and in humans (IL-2, IL-7), suggesting a common function. IL-4 is of particular interest as it is upregulated in HIV infection and in thyroid and colon cancers. The role of IL-4 in regulating CD127 expression and IL-7 activity in human thymocytes and mature CD8+ T cells is unknown and was therefore investigated. IL-4 decreased CD127 expression on all thymocyte subsets tested and only on naïve (CD45RA+) CD8+ T cells, without altering membrane-bound CD127 mRNA expression. Pre-treatment of thymocytes or CD8+ T cells with IL-4 inhibited IL-7-mediated phosphorylation of STAT5 and decreased proliferation of CD8+ T cells. By downregulating CD127 expression and signaling on developing thymocytes and CD8+ T cells, IL-4 is a potential contributor to impaired CD8+ T-cell function in some anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. These findings are of particular consequence to diseases such as HIV, HCV, RSV, measles and cancer, in which CD127 expression is decreased, IL-7 activity is impaired and IL-4 concentrations are elevated. [source]


    Involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 HiF(1,) in IgE-mediated primary human basophil responses

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
    Vadim V. Sumbayev
    Abstract Basophils play a pivotal role in regulating chronic allergic inflammation as well as angiogenesis. Here, we show for the first time that IgE-mediated activation of primary human basophils results in protein accumulation of the ,-subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, (HIF-1,), which is differentially regulated compared with signals controlling histamine release. HIF-1 facilitates cellular adaptation to hypoxic conditions such as inflammation and tumour growth by controlling glycolysis, angiogenesis and cell adhesion. ERK and p38 MAPK, but not reactive oxygen species (ROS), ASK1 or PI 3-kinase, were critical for IgE-mediated accumulation of HIF-1,, although the latter crucially affected degranulation. Abrogating HIF-1, expression in basophils using siRNA demonstrated that this protein is essential for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression and, consequently, release of VEGF protein. In addition, HIF-1, protein alters IgE-induced ATP depletion in basophils, thus also supporting the production of the pro-allergic cytokine IL-4. [source]


    T-bet protects against exacerbation of schistosome egg-induced immunopathology by regulating Th17-mediated inflammation

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2009
    Laura I. Rutitzky
    Abstract C57BL/6 mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni naturally develop mild CD4+ T-cell-mediated immunopathology characterized by small hepatic granulomas around parasite eggs. However, immunization with soluble egg Ag in CFA markedly exacerbates the lesions by inducing a potent proinflammatory environment with high levels of IFN-, and IL-17, which are signature cytokines of distinct Th1- versus Th17-cell lineages. To determine the relative role of these subsets in disease exacerbation, we examined mice deficient in T-bet (T-bet,/,), which is required for Th1 differentiation and IFN-, production. We now report that immunization with soluble egg Ag in CFA caused a significantly greater enhancement of egg-induced hepatic immunopathology in T-bet,/, mice compared with WT controls, and analysis of their granulomas disclosed a higher proportion of activated DC and CD4+ T cells, as well as a marked influx of neutrophils. The absence of IFN-, in the T-bet,/, mice correlated with a marked increase in IL-23p19, IL-17 and TNF-, in granulomas and MLN. In contrast, T-bet,/, mice had lower levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 and a reduction in FIZZ1 and FoxP3 expression, suggesting diminished regulatory activity, respectively, by alternatively activated macrophages and Treg. These findings demonstrate that T-bet-dependent signaling negatively regulates Th17-mediated immunopathology in severe schistosomiasis. [source]


    Human Th17 cells: Are they different from murine Th17 cells?

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
    Francesco Annunziato
    Abstract Type 17 Th (Th17) cells have been identified as a distinct population of CD4+ effector T cells different from Th1 and Th2 cells. While the pre-eminent cytokine of Th1 cells is IFN-, and that of Th2 cells is IL-4, the distinctive cytokine of Th17 cells is IL-17A. However, although murine and human Th1 and Th2 cells exhibit strong similarities, human and murine Th17 cells seem to differ in several aspects. [source]


    T-bet expression by dendritic cells is required for the repolarization of allergic airway inflammation,

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2008
    Karin L. Heckman
    Abstract By cross-linking B7-DC on dendritic cells (DC) the human IgM antibody (B7-DC XAb) shifts polarized immune responses from Th2 to Th1 in an antigen-specific manner. The molecular determinants governing the ability of DC to reprogram the polarity of T cell recall responses are not yet known. In addition to the expected role of T-bet expressed by T cells in regulating Th1 responses, we find using in vitro assays and an established in vivo model of allergic airway inflammation that T-bet expression by DC is also required for the polarity shift promoted by B7-DC XAb. T-bet expression by both T cells and DC is critically important for B7-DC XAb-induced down-regulation of IL-4, up-regulation of IFN-, and suppression of allergic airway inflammation. Moreover, retroviral reconstitution of T-bet expression in T-bet-deficient DC rescued their ability to modulate both naive and memory T-cell responses from Th2 to Th1. Our observations further our understanding of the critical mediators controlling the ability of DC to modify the responses of previously activated T cells and reveal the interesting use of the same transcription factor to regulate the inductive phenotype of DC and the inducible phenotype of T cells. [source]


    Dendritic cells derived from TBP-2-deficient mice are defective in inducing T cell responses

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    Aoi Son
    Abstract Thioredoxin-binding protein-2 (TBP-2), also known as vitamin,D3-up-regulated protein,1 (VDUP1), was identified as an endogenous molecule interacting with thioredoxin (TRX). Here, we show that dendritic cells (DC) derived from TBP-2-deficient mice are defective in the function of T cell activation. To compare TBP-2,/, DC function with wild-type (WT) DC, we stimulated DC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Although TBP-2,/, DC and WT DC expressed comparable levels of MHC class,II and costimulatory molecules such as CD40, CD80 and CD86, the IL-12p40, IL-12p70 and IL-6 productions of TBP-2,/, DC were attenuated. In a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), the concentrations of IL-2, IFN-,, IL-4 and IL-10 in the culture supernatant of MLR with TBP-2,/, DC were significantly lower than those in the cultures with WT DC. In MLR also, as with LPS stimulation, IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 production from TBP-2,/, DC was less than that from WT DC. Proliferation of T cells cultured with TBP-2,/, DC was poorer than that with WT DC. Invivo delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in TBP-2,/, mice immunized with ovalbumin were significantly reduced compared to WT mice. These results indicate that TBP-2 plays a crucial role in DC to induce T cell responses. [source]


    IL-35 is a novel cytokine with therapeutic effects against collagen-induced arthritis through the expansion of regulatory T cells and suppression of Th17 cells

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11 2007
    Wanda Niedbala
    Abstract Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene,3 (EBI3) and the p35 subunit of IL-12 have been reported to form a heterodimeric hematopoietin in human and mouse. We have constructed a heterodimeric protein covalently linking EBI3 and p35, to form a novel cytokine which we now call IL-35. The Fc fusion protein of IL-35 induced proliferation of murine CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25, T cells when stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies in vitro. The IL-35-expanded CD4+CD25+ T cell population expressed Foxp3 and produced elevated levels of IL-10, whereas the IL-35-induced CD4+CD25, T cells produced IFN-, but not IL-4. The in vitro expanded CD4+CD25+ T cells retained their suppressive functions against CD4+CD25, effector cells. Furthermore, when cultured with soluble anti-CD3 antibody and antigen-presenting cells, IL-35 suppressed the proliferation of CD4+CD25, effector cells. Moreover, IL-35 inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells in vitro. In vivo, IL-35 effectively attenuated established collagen-induced arthritis in mice, with concomitant suppression of IL-17 production but enhanced IFN-, synthesis. Thus, IL-35 is a novel anti-inflammatory cytokine suppressing the immune response through the expansion of regulatory T cells and suppression of Th17 cell development. [source]


    TLR9 activation is a key event for the maintenance of a mycobacterial antigen-elicited pulmonary granulomatous response

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
    Toshihiro Ito
    Abstract Type 1 (Th1) granulomas can be studied in mice sensitized with mycobacterium antigens followed by challenge of agarose beads covalently coupled to purified protein derivative. TLR9 is known to play a role in the regulation of Th1 responses; thus, we investigated the role of TLR9 in granuloma formation during challenge with mycobacterium antigens and demonstrated that mice deficient in TLR9 had increased granuloma formation, but a dramatically altered cytokine phenotype. Th1 cytokine levels of IFN-, and IL-12 in the lungs were decreased in TLR9,/, mice when compared to wild-type mice. In contrast, Th2 cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were increased in TLR9,/, mice. The migration of CD4+ T cells in the granuloma was impaired, while the number of F4/80+ macrophages was increased in TLR9,/, mice. Macrophages in the lungs of the TLR9-deficient animals with developing granulomas expressed significantly lower levels of the classically activated macrophage marker, nitric oxide synthase, but higher levels of the alternatively activated macrophage markers such as ,found in inflammatory zone-1, antigen and Arginase-1. These results suggest that TLR9 plays an important role in maintaining the appropriate phenotype in a Th1 granulomatous response. [source]


    IL-15-induced human DC efficiently prime melanoma-specific naive CD8+ T cells to differentiate into CTL

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
    Peter Dubsky
    Abstract Monocytes differentiate into dendritic cells (DC) in response to GM-CSF combined with other cytokines including IL-4 and IL-15. Here, we show that IL15-DC are efficient in priming naive CD8+ T cells to differentiate into melanoma antigen-specific cytotoxic T,lymphocytes (CTL). While both melanoma peptide-pulsed IL15-DC and IL4-DC expand high-precursor frequency MART-1-specific CD8+ T cells after two stimulations in vitro, IL15-DC require much lower peptide concentration for priming. IL15-DC are more efficient in expanding gp100-specific CD8+ T cells and can expand CD8+ T cells specific for Tyrosinase and MAGE-3. CTL primed by IL15-DC are superior in their function as demonstrated by (i),higher IFN-, secretion, (ii),higher expression of Granzyme,B and Perforin, and (iii),higher killing of allogeneic melanoma cell lines, most particularly the HLA-A*0201+ Sk-Mel-24 melanoma cells that are resistant to killing by CD8+ T cells primed with IL4-DC. Supernatants of the sonicated cells demonstrate unique expression of IL-1, IL-8 and IL-15. Therefore, membrane-bound IL-15 might contribute to enhanced priming by IL15-DC. Thus, IL-15 induces myeloid DC that are efficient in priming and maturation of melanoma antigen-specific CTL. [source]


    Maintenance of CCL5 mRNA stores by post-effector and memory CD8 T cells is dependent on transcription and is coupled to increased mRNA stability

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 10 2006
    Antoine Marçais
    Abstract Immunological memory is associated with the display of improved effector functions by cells of the adaptive immune system. The storage of untranslated mRNA coding for the CCL5 chemokine by CD8 memory cells is a new process supporting the immediate display of an effector function. Here, we show that, after induction during the primary response, high CCL5 mRNA levels are specifically preserved in CD8 T cells. We have investigated the mechanisms involved in the long-term maintenance of CCL5 mRNA levels by memory CD8 T cells. We demonstrate that the CCL5 mRNA half-life is increased in memory CD8 T cells and that these cells constitutively transcribe ccl5 gene. By inhibiting ccl5 transcription using IL-4, we demonstrate the essential role of transcription in the maintenance of CCL5 mRNA stores. Finally, we show that these stores are spontaneously reconstituted when the inhibitory signal is removed, indicating that the transcription of ccl5 is a default feature of memory CD8 T cells imprinted in their genetic program. [source]


    Activated NKT cells increase dendritic cell migration and enhance CD8+ T cell responses in the skin

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
    Anton
    Abstract Activated NKT cells produce cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-, that function locally to influence the strength and functional development of antigen-specific T cells. Here we identify an alternative mechanism by which NKT cells influence the strength of T cell responses: through modulation of peripheral dendritic cell (DC) trafficking. NKT cell activation with ,-galactosylceramide induced high systemic levels of TNF-, that mediated increased DC migration from skin to draining lymph nodes. This increased DC trafficking led to a threefold increase in effector T cell priming and in the immune response elicited to antigen challenge when ,-galactosylceramide was given at the time of immunization of the skin. These studies provide important implications for the use of NKT cell activation strategies to manipulate T cell-mediated responses including responses to cutaneous tumors and graft vs. host disease. [source]


    Cover Picture , Eur.

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006

    The cover depicts the safranin staining of joint sections from the hind paws of arthritic mice. It illustrates the finding of Nandakumar et al. (pp. 1608,1618) that suppression of arthritis by IL-4 is dependent on IFN-,c. In their article, Nandakumar et al. investigate the role of IL-4 in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) disease process and demonstrate an increased frequency of arthritis in the presence of IL-4, suggesting a pro-inflammatory effect of IL-4 during the effector phase of CAIA. [source]


    Revisiting the specificity of the MHC class,II transactivator CIITA in vivo

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006

    Abstract CIITA is a master regulatory factor for the expression of MHC class,II (MHC-II) and accessory genes involved in Ag presentation. It has recently been suggested that CIITA also regulates numerous other genes having diverse functions within and outside the immune system. To determine whether these genes are indeed relevant targets of CIITA in vivo, we studied their expression in CIITA-transgenic and CIITA-deficient mice. In contrast to the decisive control of MHC-II and related genes by CIITA, nine putative non-MHC target genes (Eif3s2, Kpna6, Tap1, Yars, Col1a2, Ctse, Ptprr, Tnfsf6 and Plxna1) were found to be CIITA independent in all cell types examined. Two other target genes, encoding IL-4 and IFN-,, were indeed found to be up- and down-regulated, respectively, in CIITA-transgenic CD4+ T,cells. However, there was no correlation between MHC-II expression and this Th2 bias at the level of individual transgenic T,cells, indicating an indirect control by CIITA. These results show that MHC-II-restricted Ag presentation, and its indirect influences on T,cells, remains the only pathway under direct control by CIITA in vivo. They also imply that precisely regulated MHC-II expression is essential for maintaining a proper Th1-Th2 balance. [source]


    Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITR) activation exacerbates murine asthma and collagen-induced arthritis

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2005
    Manish Patel
    Abstract Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITR) is expressed at low levels on resting T cells, B cells and macrophages but at high levels on regulatory T cells (Treg). Although GITR expression is up-regulated on CD4+ effector cells upon activation, the role of GITR in Th1 and Th2 cell development is unclear. We report here that activation of GITR signalling by anti-GITR antibody markedly enhanced the induction of both Th1 and Th2 cytokine production by naive CD4+CD25, T cells. Consistent with this observation, anti-GITR antibody significantly enhanced the expression of the key Th1 (T-bet) and Th2 (GATA3) transcription factors in vitro. Administration of anti-GITR mAb in a murine model of arthritis significantly exacerbated the severity and onset of joint inflammation with elevated production of TNF-,, IFN-,, IL-5, and collagen-specific IgG1. Administration of anti-GITR mAb also significantly exacerbated murine allergic airways inflammation with elevated production of OVA-specific IFN-,, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IgE. Finally, we demonstrated that adoptive transfer of CD4+GITR+ T cells effectively abolished airway inflammation induced in SCID mice reconstituted with CD4+GITR, T cells. Our results therefore provide direct evidence that GITR can modulate both Th1- and Th2-mediated inflammatory diseases, and may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention. [source]


    Copolymer effects on microglia and T,cells in the central nervous system of humanized mice

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2005
    Zsolt Illes
    The random amino acid copolymers FYAK and VWAK ameliorate EAE in a humanized mouse model expressing both a human transgenic myelin basic protein (MBP)85,99-specific T,cell receptor and HLA-DR2. Here we show that microglia isolated from the central nervous system (CNS) of humanized mice with EAE induced by MBP85,99 and treated with these copolymers had reduced expression of HLA-DR, and thus reduced capacity to present MBP85,99 and activate transgenic T,cells. In vitro microglia up-regulated empty HLA-DR2 upon activation with GM-CSF with or without LPS or IFN-,, but not with IL-4 or IL-10. Correspondingly, gene chip arrays showed that the CNS of untreated and YFAK-treated mice differentially expressed pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules during MBP85,99-induced EAE. Interestingly, microglia expressed the full-length ,,,and ,,,subunits of the tetrameric adaptor protein complexes AP-1 and AP-2 respectively, but after treatment with GM-CSF these complexes were cleaved, as had been found in immature dendritic cells derived from bone marrow. Strikingly, in vivo the perivascular lymphocyte infiltration seen in untreated mice immunized with MBP85,99 was composed of equal numbers of hV,2+ MPB85,99-specific transgenic and hV,2, endogenous T,cells, while the much smaller infiltration seen after treatment with YFAK was composed predominantly of hV,2, endogenous T,cells. [source]


    Impaired IL-4 production by CD8+ T,cells in NOD mice is related to a defect of c-Maf binding to the IL-4 promoter

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
    Xiao-Ping Chen
    Abstract CD8+ T,cells play an important role in the induction of the autoimmune response in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Here we describe abnormalities in the control of cytokine production by NOD CD8+ T,cells. NOD CD8+ T,cells had an increased propensity to produce IFN-, upon TCR activation, in both adult and 2-week-old mice. NOD CD8+ T,cells had a reduced capacity to produce IL-4 in type,2 conditions compared to CD8+ T,cells from the diabetes-resistant strains BALB/c and C57BL/6. Both GATA-3 and c-Maf, two positive transactivators for IL-4 gene expression, were expressed in type,2 conditions at comparable levels in NOD CD8+ T,cells. The GATA-3 was functional since normal levels of IL-5 were produced and the IL-4 promoter was hyperacetylated in NOD CD8+ T,cells. In contrast, c-Maf failed to bind to its responsive element as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. These results suggest that NOD CD8+ T,cells possess an increased propensity to produce IFN-, and impaired c-Maf-dependent DNA binding activities in vivo that lead to reduced IL-4 production following TCR activation. These defects may facilitate the development of the autoimmune response by inducing an overall type,1-biased immune response in NOD mice. [source]


    Nuclear repositioning marks the selective exclusion of lineage-inappropriate transcription factor loci during T helper cell differentiation

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2004
    Susannah
    Abstract To address how heritable patterns of gene expression are acquired during the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells, we analyzed the nuclear position of lineage-restricted cytokine genes and their upstream regulators by 3-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization. During Th1 differentiation, GATA-3 and c-maf loci, which encode upstream regulators of Th2 cytokines, were progressively repositioned to centromeric heterochromatin as defined by a ,-satellite repeat probe and/or the nuclear periphery, compartments that have been associated with transcriptional repression. A third transcription factor locus, T-bet, which controls Th1-specific programs, was subject to de novo CpG methylation in a Th2 cell clone. In contrast, we did not find repositioning of the cytokine gene loci IL-2, IL-3, IL-4 or IFN-, during T helper cell differentiation. Instead, IFN-, was constitutively associated with the nuclear periphery, even when primed for expression in Th1 cells. Our results suggest that Th1/Th2 lineage commitment and differentiation involve repositioning of the regulators of cytokine expression, rather than the cytokine genes themselves. [source]


    Notch1 expression on T,cells is not required for CD4+ T,helper differentiation

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
    Fabienne Tacchini-Cottier
    Abstract Notch1 proteins are involved in binary cell fate decisions. To determine the role of Notch1 in the differentiation of CD4+ Th1 versus Th2 cells, we have compared T,helper polarization in vitro in naive CD4+ T,cells isolated from mice in which the N1 gene is specifically inactivated in all mature T,cells. Following activation, Notch1-deficient CD4+ T,cells transcribed and secreted IFN-, under Th1 conditions and IL-4 under Th2 conditions at levels similar to that of control CD4+ T,cells. These results show that Notch1 is dispensable for the development of Th1 and Th2 phenotypes in vitro. The requirement for Notch1 in Th1 differentiation in vivo was analyzed following inoculation of Leishmania major in mice with a T,cell-specific inactivation of the Notch1 gene. Following infection, these mice controlled parasite growth at the site of infection and healed their lesions. The mice developed a protective Th1 immune response characterized by high levels of IFN-, mRNA and protein and low levels of IL-4 mRNA with no IL-4 protein in their lymph node cells. Taken together, these results indicate that Notch1 is not critically involved in CD4+ T,helper,1 differentiation and in resolution of lesions following infection with L.,major. [source]


    Analysis of allelic expression patterns of IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-13 in human CD4+ T,cell clones

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 8 2003
    Jean-Pierre Bayley
    Abstract The occurrence of monoallelic expression of cytokine genes in single cells has been convincingly demonstrated, but there have been few reports of this phenomenon in T,cell clones. Here we describe studies on the expression of alleles of the human genes encoding IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-13 in human CD4+ T,cell clones. In contrast to the results reported in mouse T,cell clones andsingle human T,cells, we found no evidence for the monoallelic expression of the IL-2, IL-3, and IL-13 genes. The gene for IL-4 showed an imbalance in expression from each allele, indicating differential expression of IL-4 alleles within or between IL-4-expressing cells. [source]


    TNF-, induces the generation of Langerin/(CD207)+ immature Langerhans-type dendritic cells from both CD14,CD1a, and CD14+CD1a, precursors derived from CD34+ cord blood cells

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2003
    Jean-François Arrighi
    Abstract CD34+ cell-derived hematopoietic precursors amplified with FLT3-ligand, thrombopoietin and stem cell factor became, after a 6-day induction with GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-,1, HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD83,, CD86,, CD80, cells. A fraction of them expressed Langerin, Lag, and E-cadherin, resembling epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). TNF-, addedfor the last 3,days only marginally induced CD83 expression, but strikingly increased the proportion of immature Langerin+CD83, LC. Langerin+CD83+ and Langerin+CD83, cells were functionally distinct, the former internalizing less efficiently Langerin than the latter. Both CD1a,CD14, and CD1a,CD14+ cells sorted from FLT3-ligand, thrombopoietin and stem cell factor cultures responded to TNF-, by an increase of Langerin+ cells. Thus, TNF-, rescued LC precursors irrespective of their commitment to the monocytic lineage. When added to GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF,,1 containing-cultures, LPS or IL-1, also induced significant numbers of Langerin+CD83, immature cells displaying a low allostimulatory activity, while CD40-ligand largely promoted highly allostimulatory Langerin,CD83+ cells. Altogether, these data show that in contrast to CD40-ligand, which induced LC maturation even in presence of TGF-,1, nonspecific proinflammatory factors such as TNF-,, IL-1, or LPS, essentially induced immature LC generation, and little cell activation in the presence of TGF-,1. [source]


    Neutropenia alters lung cytokine production in mice and reduces their susceptibility to pulmonary cryptococcosis

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2003

    Abstract Neutrophils are generally considered to contribute to host defense through their potent microbicidal activity. However, there is accumulating evidence that neutrophils also have an important regulatory role in establishing the balance of Th1 and Th2 responses. This study investigated the role of neutrophils in defense against pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection using neutrophil-depleted BALB/c mice generated by administering mAb RB6,8C5. Neutropenic mice with pulmonary infection survived significantly longer than control mice, but there was no difference between groups infected intravenously. On day,1 of infection, neutropenic mice had significantly smaller fungal burdens than control mice. On day,7, neutropenic mice had significantly higher lung concentrations of IL-10, TNF-,, IL-4, and IL-12 than control mice, but there was no difference in IFN-, and MCP-1 levels. Neutrophils influenced the outcome of cryptococcal infection in mice through mechanisms that did not involve a reduction in early fungal burden. The absence of neutrophils in lung tissue during the initial stages of infection appeared to alter the inflammatory response in a manner thatwas subsequently beneficial to the host. Higher levels of Th1- and Th2-associated cytokines in neutropenic mice could have simultaneously promoted a strong cellular response while reducing inflammatory damage to the lung. Our results support the emerging concept that neutrophils play an important function in modulating the development of the immune response. [source]


    CD2+/CD14+ monocytes rapidly differentiate into CD83+ dendritic cells

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
    Di Pucchio, Tiziana
    Abstract Since denditric cells (DC) represent the main players linking innate and adaptive immunity, their prompt generation from blood cells would be instrumental for an efficient immune response to infections. Consistent with this, CD2+ monocytes were found to express the DC maturation marker CD83, along with acquisition of high antigen-presenting activity, after a surprisingly short time in culture. This rapid process is associated with expression of IFN-,/, genes and secretion of low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Exposure of monocytes to IFN-,, but not to IL-4, induced persistence of CD2+/CD83+ cells, which were fully competent in stimulating primary responses by naive T cells. These results unravel the natural pathway by which infection-induced signals rapidly transform pre-armed monocytes into active DC. [source]


    NKT cells are dispensable in the induction of oral tolerance but are indispensable in the abrogation of oral tolerance by prostaglandin E

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
    Ryotaro Ishimitsu
    Abstract NK1.1+ ,,, T cells (NKT cells) regulate the Th1/Th2 balance in response to dietary Ag, which may be involved in regulation of oral tolerance. OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 Ab levels were significantly lower following an i.p. injection of OVA (in CFA) in C57BL/6 mice orally given a single, high dose (25,mg) of OVA than in those orally given PBS. The oral tolerance was normally induced in J,281,/, mice which lack V,14+ NKT cells, suggesting that NKT cells are dispensable for induction of oral tolerance. Treatment with PGE1 or PGE2 abrogated the oral tolerance in J,281+/+ mice; this abrogation was accompanied by an OVA-specific Th2-dominant response. The abrogation of oral tolerance by PGE1 was not evident in J,281,/, mice. Treatment with PGE1 induced an early increase in IL-4 production by liver NKT cells in normal mice and neutralization of the early IL-4 by administration of anti-IL-4 mAb abolished PGE1 -induced abrogation of oral tolerance. These results suggest that liver NKT cells producing IL-4 are responsible for the down-regulation of oral tolerance that is caused by the PGE molecules. [source]


    Functional characterization of T cells differentiated in vitro from bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells of psoriatic patients with family history

    EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
    Kaiming Zhang
    Please cite this paper as: Functional characterization of T cells differentiated in vitro from bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells of psoriatic patients with family history. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e128,e135. Abstract Background:, The strong but complex genetic background suggests that inherent and intrinsic rather than exogenous factors have a key role in immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. It is reasonable to speculate that the dysfunctional activity of psoriatic T cells may partly originate from the abnormal haematopoietic cells. Objectives:, To test if T cells originated from haematopoietic progenitor cells in psoriasis patients display functional alternations similar to previously reported abnormalities of circulating T cells. Methods:, Bone marrow CD34+ haematopoietic cells were isolated from psoriatic patients with family history and healthy subjects, and differentiated into T cells in vitro in the thymic stromal co-culture system. These cells were further subjected to functional comparisons such as in vitro proliferation, secretion of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-8 and IFN,,, and inducing the production of C-myc, Bcl-xL, and Ki67 proteins in human keratinocytes. Results:, While bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells from both patients and healthy volunteers developed into mature T cells within weeks in the thymic environment in vitro, the differentiated T cells from psoriatic patients showed higher proliferation and stronger capacity to secret TH1 cytokines in response to streptococcal superantigen. The differentiated T cells from psoriatic patients, but not from normal controls, induced overexpression of C-myc and Ki67, but not Bcl-XL, in keratinocytes. Conclusions:, T cells differentiated from CD34+ cells of psoriatic patients, but not normal controls, are functionally similar to psoriatic circulating T cells, suggesting that the dysfunctional activity of T cells in psoriatic patients can be traced back to the early development of haematopoietic cells. [source]


    The 21st century renaissance of the basophil?

    EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
    Current insights into its role in allergic responses, innate immunity
    Abstract:, Basophils and mast cells express all the three subchains of the high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor Fc,RI and contain preformed histamine in the cytoplasmic granules. However, it is increasingly clear that these cells play distinct roles in allergic inflammatory disease. Despite their presence throughout much of the animal kingdom, the physiological function of basophils remains obscure. As rodent mast cells are more numerous than basophils, and generate an assortment of inflammatory cytokines, basophils have often been regarded as minor players in allergic inflammation. In humans, however, basophils are the prime early producers of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, T helper (Th)2-type cytokines crucial for initiating and maintaining allergic responses. Basophils also express CD40 ligand which, in combination with IL-4 and IL-13, facilitates IgE class switching in B cells. They are the main cellular source for early IL-4 production, which is vital for the development of Th2 responses. The localization of basophils in various tissues affected by allergic inflammation has now been clearly demonstrated by using specific staining techniques and the new research is shedding light on their selective recruitment to the tissues. Finally, recent studies have shown that basophil activation is not restricted to antigen-specific IgE crosslinking, but can be caused in non-sensitized individuals by a growing list of parasitic antigens, lectins and viral superantigens, binding to non-specific IgE antibodies. This, together with novel IgE-independent routes of activation, imparts important new insights into the potential role of basophils in both adaptive and innate immunity. [source]


    In vitro culture of skin-homing T lymphocytes from inflammatory skin diseases

    EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
    Karen Bang
    Abstract:, We, in this study, describe how T lymphocytes in a skin biopsy can proliferate in vitro for up to 3 months by using T-cell growth factors , interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 yielding approximately 100,160 million T lymphocytes within 1 month. We established cell lines from three tuberculin skin tests, four positive patch tests, 15 of 16 biopsies from atopic dermatitis (AD), 15 of 19 biopsies from mycosis fungoides (MF), 12 of 24 biopsies from psoriasis vulgaris, which was significantly less than AD (P < 0.05), and with a reduced cumulative number of lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Omitting IL-2 and IL-4 led to immediate halt of proliferation. Blood mononuclear cells from patients and biopsies from healthy persons never gave cell lines. All cells were T lymphocytes expressing CD45RO+, HLA-DR+ and CD150. The CD7 expression was significantly increased in cell lines from AD (P < 0.05). T-cell receptor ,-chain studies by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that all T lymphocytes had access to the skin compartment. Single-stranded conformational analysis showed clonally expanded T cells numbering between 40 and 60 clones. After approximately 2 months of growth, the mean CD4+ : CD8+ ratio was for AD 1.20, MF 0.65 and psoriasis 0.85. Patients with AD treated with cyclosporin-A had almost no growth of CD8+ cells in vitro. Our findings indicate a changed homeostasis among skin-homing lymphocytes for in vitro culture. Our culture system of skin-homing T lymphocytes leads to a prominent cellular expansion allowing for a range of studies of in vivo activated skin T lymphocytes. [source]