title: Cytokine production by highly purified human CD8+ T cells.
abstract: We have systematically investigated the capacity of highly purified human peripheral CD8+ T cells to produce interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma when triggered by different stimuli. CD8+ T cells were isolated from peripheral blood by positive selection to > 99% purity and stimulated with one of three different stimuli: phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and IL-2, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and plate-bound anti CD3 and PMA. On their own, ionomycin and IL-2 failed to stimulate significant CD8+ T cell proliferation while PHA, plate-bound anti-CD3 and PMA induced weak proliferation. A combination of PHA and IL-2, PMA and ionomycin, or plate-bound anti-CD3 and PMA all induced vigorous CD8+ T cell proliferation. IFN-gamma was produced following all three stimuli, but was greatest from cells cultured with PMA and ionomycin. However, IL-4 secretion was only detected in cell cultures stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. These results indicate that, with sufficient stimulation, human CD8+ T cells have the potential to produce Th2 as well as Th1 cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kemeny
mesh_terms: D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000494:pharmacology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002469:Cell Separation; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015759:Ionomycin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate