Regulation of DTH and IgE responses by IL-4 and IFN-gamma in immunized mice given pertussis toxin.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are cytokines with important functions in regulating immune responses. IFN-gamma may be produced by cells responsible for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), whereas IL-4 is essential for IgE production. Pertussis toxin (PT) from Bordetella pertussis enhances both DTH and IgE responses, and causes enhancement of both IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion in immunized mice. In the present study, the effects of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against IFN-gamma or IL-4 on DTH, serum IgE and cytokine production were assessed. Treatment with a monoclonal anti-IL-4 antibody at the time of immunization caused a striking increase in DTH responses, and elicited enhanced IFN-gamma expression, while inhibition of the production of IL-4 and IgE was observed. By contrast, injection of a monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody was followed by significant but not complete suppression of DTH reactions. IFN-gamma secretion was also inhibited, whereas IL-4 production and serum IgE were increased. Thus antibodies to IL-4 and IFN-gamma, given at the time of immunization, can profoundly influence the nature of short-term immune responses elicited by PT in immunized mice.
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Centre for Immunology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Sewell
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WA
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D037342:Pertussis Toxin