Liver of MRL/lpr mice contain interleukin-4-producing lymphocytes and accessory cells that support the proliferation of Th2 helper T lymphocyte clones.
Hepatic nonparenchymal cells (NPC) from mice of nonautoimmune strains support the proliferation of only Th1 and not Th2 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) clones. Because of the multiple systemic and liver-specific immune defects in the autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse strain, we have explored the possibility that hepatic accessory cells from MRL/lpr mice are capable of stimulating the proliferation of Th2 HTL. We report here that hepatic NPC from MRL/lpr and C3H/lpr female mice older than 8 weeks, in contrast to hepatic NPC from MRL/++ and C3H/HeN strains, are able to support in vitro the proliferation of both Th1 and Th2 CD4 clones. Additionally, hepatic lymphocytes (HL) from MRL/lpr mice can be stimulated to produce interleukin (IL)-4 to a much higher degree than HL from the nonautoimmune strains. These results suggest that the activation of Th2 cells by hepatic NPC and production of IL-4 by HL may contribute to the immunologic aberrations in the MRL/lpr mouse strain.
Magilavy
D B
DB
Department of Pediatrics, La Rabida-University of Chicago Institute, IL.
Foys
K M
KM
Gajewski
T F
TF
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000032:analysis; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma