Inhibition by interleukin-4 of constitutive beta interferon synthesis in mouse macrophages.
We have found that interleukin-4 (IL-4) abrogated constitutive beta interferon (IFN-beta) synthesis in mouse macrophages. Analysis of endogenous IFN mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR clearly documented the presence of IFN-beta but not of IFN-alpha transcripts in RNA from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM). Culture of bone marrow cells for 7 days in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus IL-4 or treatment of mature BMM with IL-4 for 3 to 4 days resulted in pronounced inhibition of IFN-beta transcript levels. As a consequence, BMM became highly permissive to viral infection and induction of the IFN-responsive 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase was inhibited. In view of the evidence for low-level constitutive secretion of IFN in vivo, it is possible that IL-4 influences the host's antiviral defense system.
Nickolaus
P
P
Applied Tumor Virology Program, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg.
Zawatzky
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017931:DNA Primers; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000906:Antibodies; D017931:DNA Primers; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016899:Interferon-beta; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor