Mercuric chloride-induced programmed cell death of a murine T cell hybridoma. II. Opposite effect of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4.
In susceptible animals evidence is accumulating for a primary role for Th2 cells in the course of HgCl2-induced autoimmunity, and for a contribution of Th1 cells in the self-regulated phase of this disease. We have reported that incubation of 2B4.11 T cell hybridoma with HgCl2 induced programmed cell death. This paper shows that recombinant IL-2 significantly diminished HgCl2-induced 2B4.11 cell death. Although no effect was observed upon incubation with exogenous IL-4, we observed a significant protection by adding an anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody to the culture. Accordingly, by RT-PCR we found the presence of IL-2 receptor-encoding mRNA, and by cytofluorometry, the expression of the protein was detected only after exposure to HgCl2. Moreover, upon HgCl2 treatment, 2B4.11 cells were induced to produce IL-4. Altogether these findings showed that cytokine environment, IL-2, IL-4 otherwise defining the Th1/Th2 dichotomy, in conjunction with a chemical may differentially influence the fate of cell populations, death or survival.
Prigent
P
P
INSERM U28, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France.
Poncet
P
P
Aten
J
J
Blanpied
C
C
Chand
A
A
Février
M
M
Druet
P
P
Hirsch
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006825:Hybridomas; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008627:Mercuric Chloride