title: Effect of recombinant human interleukin 4 on human monocyte activity.
abstract: Recombinant human interleukin 4 (rhuIL-4), a lymphokine that reportedly stimulates tumoricidal activity in mouse macrophages, is currently undergoing clinical studies to determine its efficacy in the treatment of cancer. IL-4 is known to participate with other cytokines to regulate growth and differentiation of various hematopoietic cells as well as modulate the immune response. Little is known about the effect of rhuIL-4 on human monocyte tumoricidal activity. The purpose of these studies was to examine the effect of rhuIL-4 on human peripheral blood monocytes. Peripheral blood monocytes isolated from normal donors failed to demonstrate tumoricidal activity or interleukin 1 secretion after treatment with rhuIL-4 in vitro. Furthermore, monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity induced by recombinant human gamma-interferon plus muramyl dipeptide was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by rhuIL-4. This reduction in cytotoxicity corresponded to a reduction in IL-1 production and secretion. Further investigation of rhuIL-4 and its role in the cytokine network is necessary for the development of effective immunotherapy in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Markowitz
authors.forename: J U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Gutterman
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kleinerman
mesh_terms: D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000906:Antibodies; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine