title: Modulation of proliferation and antigen expression of a cloned human glioblastoma by interleukin-4 alone and in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and/or interferon-gamma.
abstract: As part of continuing studies to investigate the possible regulatory effects of cytokines on malignant astrocytes, we investigated the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) alone and in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and/or interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) on the cell growth and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression of a cloned human glioblastoma cell line (9C). The 9C cells were treated with IL-4 alone or in combination with TNF alpha and/or IFN gamma and were examined for proliferation by crystal violet assay and for Class II MHC antigen by flow cytometry. Results indicated that IL-4 alone did not affect 9C proliferation. In combination with TNF alpha or IFN gamma, however, IL-4 significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell growth. As previous reports have shown, TNF alpha combined with IFN gamma exerted an additive growth suppressive effect on glioblastoma cells, probably by enhancing TNF receptor expression. This additive effect of TNF alpha and IFN gamma was further enhanced by IL-4. In contrast, IL-4 did not modulate expression of Class II MHC antigen on 9C cells, even in combination with IFN gamma, which predictably enhanced this antigen. These results suggest that IL-4 is capable of modulating glioblastoma growth only in the presence of other cytokines, such as TNF alpha and/or IFN gamma. Further, the effect of IL-4 on glioblastoma proliferation is selective and independent of the mechanisms involved in regulating MHC antigen expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Barna
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma