In vivo kinetics and characterization of IFN-gamma-producing cells during a thymus-independent immune response.
Using immunohistochemical techniques, we studied IFN-gamma-producing cells (IFN-gamma-PC) in vivo during immune responses to thymus-independent type-2 (TI-2) Ag. Detection of IFN-gamma-PC in cryostat sections of spleen-tissue was performed with an enzyme labeled mAb directed against IFN-gamma. After TNP-Ficoll immunization, IFN-gamma-PC and TNP-specific antibody-forming cells (TNP-AFC) displayed similar kinetics reaching a maximum number at day 5 to 7. The IFN-gamma-PC were localized in the same compartment as TNP-AFC and a part of them in juxtaposition to TNP-AFC. Immunization with other TI-2 Ag resulted also in a significant increase of the number of IFN-gamma-PC. In a parallel experiment we found both in vivo and in an ELISA-spot assay a significant increase of the number of IFN-gamma-PC and IFN-gamma-spot-forming-cells, respectively, in spleens of mice 6 to 7 days after TNP-Ficoll immunization. Double staining of spleen sections for IFN-gamma and surface Ag revealed that 5 to 7 days after TNP-Ficoll immunization, +/- 40% of the IFN-gamma-PC expressed the MT4 Ag (CD4), +/- 50% the Lyt-2+ Ag (CD8) and +/- 10% the asialo-GM1 Ag (NK cell). This study represents the first description of the in vivo activity and characterization of IFN-gamma-PC during a TI-2 immune response. Moreover, the presented data confirm suggestions from in vitro investigations that IFN-gamma and T cells may play a direct role in the in vivo regulation of a primary immune response against a TI-2 Ag.
van den Eertwegh
A J
AJ
Department of Immunology and Medical Microbiology, TNO Medical Biological Laboratory, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Fasbender
M J
MJ
Schellekens
M M
MM
van Oudenaren
A
A
Boersma
W J
WJ
Claassen
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000276:immunology*; D005362:Ficoll / Q000276:immunology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010641:Phenotype; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology
D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes; D005362:Ficoll; D007371:Interferon-gamma