title: Accessory cell-derived helper signals in human T-cell activation with phytohemagglutinin: induction of interleukin 2-responsiveness by interleukin 6, and production of interleukin 2 by interleukin 1 [corrected].
abstract: Interleukins (IL-) 1 and 6 have been shown to represent accessory signals for T-cell activation. In the present study, we further examined the effects of both cytokines on accessory cell-depleted human T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The addition of IL-6 to the cultures resulted in T-cell proliferation; however, IL-1 was unable to support PHA-induced T-cell growth. The addition of IL-1 consistently induced a low level of IL-2 production and strongly enhanced T-cell proliferation in the presence of IL-6. Thus, the effect of IL-1 on T-cell growth becomes apparent only in the presence of IL-6. Blocking the IL-2-receptor (IL-2R) with the monoclonal antibodies anti-Tac and MikBêta 1 (directed to the alpha and bêta chains of the IL-2R, respectively) had no effect on PHA/IL-6-supported proliferation, but completely eliminated the growth-enhancing effect of IL-1. On the other hand, a neutralizing anti-IL-4-antiserum did not affect PHA/IL-6- or PHA/IL-6/IL-1-induced proliferation. Further experiments showed that IL-6 enhances T-cell responsiveness to IL-2, as evidenced by enhanced IL-2-induced proliferation. However, we could not find an effect of IL-6 on the expression of IL-2R as measured by staining with anti-Tac and with MikBêta 1 or by binding of (125I)-IL-2 to T cells. It can be concluded from these studies that IL-1 and IL-6 have different helper effects on PHA-induced T-cell activation. In the presence of PHA, IL-6 induces limited IL-2/IL-4-independent growth, and more importantly it renders T cells responsive to IL-2. IL-1 provides a signal leading to IL-2 production. The combination of IL-1 and IL-6 represents a synergistic helper signal, leading to an IL-2-dependent pathway of proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pathophysiology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuhweide
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lorre
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Baroja
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsudo
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ceuppens
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2