Distinct antigen-induced cytokine pattern upon stimulation with antibody-complexed antigen consistent with a Th1-->Th2-shift.
The consequences of complexing an antigen with specific antibodies upon the antigen-induced immune response were studied with respect to secretion of interleukin-2 (IL2), interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-10 (IL10) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). We found that the tetanus toxoid antigen-induced cytokine pattern was mainly dependent on the antigen/antibody ratio. While tetanus toxoid antigen alone induced a typical Th1-like cytokine pattern with high levels of IL2 and IFN gamma, equivalent or antibody-excess immune complexes induced a marked secretion of IL6 and IL10 while failing to induce IL2 and IFN gamma secretion. As the cytokine pattern plays a crucial role in the development of specific immune responses towards infectious agents, our results indicate that immune complexes--typically occurring during the course of chronic infectious diseases--may play an important role in the modulation of immune responses. Since a shift from Th1 to Th2 immune responses has been discussed as a pathogenetic factor in HIV-induced immunodeficiency, the role of circulating immune complexes as a possible cause for this shift should be considered.
Senckenbergisches Zentrum der Pathologie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Uniersität, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Berger
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Balló
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HJ
Stutte
D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma