Down-modulation of CD4+ T helper type 2 and type 0 cells by T helper type 1 cells via Fas/Fas-ligand interaction.
Fas was recently demonstrated to be the major target molecule engaged by CD4+ cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). We examined Fas expression on various cloned T cell subpopulations and their susceptibility to lysis by CD4+ or CD8+ CTL. A reciprocal relationship in Fas and Fas-ligand expression was observed in CD4+ T helper (Th)1- and Th2-type clones, and Fas mRNA was predominantly detected in Th2 clones, whereas Fas-ligand mRNA was principally found in Th1 clones. The two Th0 clones tested expressed both Fas and Fas-ligand, but only one exhibited cytolytic activity, whereas both were sensitive to CD4-mediated lysis. A functional consequence of the inverse Fas-Fas-ligand expression pattern was that Th2 and Th0 cells were sensitive to lysis by both Th1 CD4+ CTL and a CD8+ CTL clone in a Fas-dependent manner. These results suggest that cytolytic CD4+ Th1 cells may play an immunomodulatory role, regulating a Th2/Th0 response by Fas-mediated lysis.
Hahn
S
S
Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Stalder
T
T
Wernli
M
M
Bürgin
D
D
Tschopp
J
J
Nagata
S
S
Erb
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D008024:Ligands; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019014:fas Receptor