title: CD4+ suppressor cells of autoimmune encephalomyelitis respond to T cell receptor-associated determinants on effector cells by interleukin-4 secretion.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated that CD4+ suppressor T cells (Ts) inhibit the secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma, but not interleukin (IL)-2, by effector cells of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Moreover, CD4+ Ts appear to regulate IFN-gamma by secretion of transforming growth factor-beta. We now show that CD4+ Ts produce a lymphokine with IL-4 activity in response to a determinant associated with EAE effector cells. CD4+ Ts do not proliferate or secrete IFN-gamma, IL-2, or IL-4 in response to myelin basic protein, nor do CD4+ Ts proliferate or secrete IL-2 when co-cultured with irradiated EAE effector cells. Rather, CD4+ Ts secrete IL-4 when co-cultured with either irradiated effector spleen cells or irradiated encephalitogenic line cells. CD4+ Ts do not secrete IL-4 in response to OVA-primed spleen cells, suggesting that the suppressor cells recognize a determinant specific to encephalitogenic T cells. Furthermore, CD4+ Ts secrete IL-4 when cultured with synthetic T cell receptor (TcR) V beta 8, but not TcR V beta 14 peptide, in the presence of antigen-presenting cells. This response is major histocompatibility complex class II restricted as demonstrated by inhibition of the response with anti-class II monoclonal antibody. These results suggest that CD4+ Ts recognize a determinant associated with TcR on the surface of EAE effector cells and respond by secreting IL-4, in a manner analogous to the Th2 lymphocyte subtype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Karpus
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Swanborg
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D015847:Interleukin-4