Contribution of interleukin-3 to antigen-induced Th2 cytokine production.
Short-term stimulation of mouse spleen cells in vitro with interleukin (IL)-3 induces the secretion of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-6. Non-B/non-T cells were the target of this IL-3 effect. However, during long-term antigen-dependent culture, T cells are the major source of IL-4 and IL-6. The addition of IL-3 to such cultures also led to a significant increase in IL-4 and IL-6 production. This Th2 cytokine secretion was amplified by the addition of irradiated non-B/non-T cells at the initiation of culture, and was inhibited by anti-IL-4 antibodies. These findings suggest that IL-3 induces the rapid release of IL-4 and IL-6 by non-B/non-T cells, thereby creating an immune milieu conducive to the development of antigen-specific IL-4 and IL-6-secreting Th2 cells.
Aoki
I
I
Department of Pathology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tanaka
S
S
Ishii
N
N
Minami
M
M
Klinman
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000502:physiology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D007377:Interleukin-3; D015847:Interleukin-4