Bacille Calmette Guérin and interleukin-12 down-modulate interleukin-4-producing CD4+ NK1+ T lymphocytes.
Early production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) by macrophages and of IL-4 from CD4+ NK1+ T cells influence development of the acquired immune response against infectious agents, namely differentiation of interferon-gamma-secreting T helper 1 (Th1) cells against intracellular pathogens and of IL-4-producing Th2 cells against helminths. Evidence has been presented for transient convertibility of Th1 and Th2 cells in the presence of the polarizing cytokines IL-4 or IL-12, respectively. Moreover, it is likely that IL-4 dominates over IL-12, suggesting that Th2 cell development is preferred in the presence of both cytokines. Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) and IL-12 are potent inducers of Th1 responses. Here we show that BCG and IL-12 down-modulate IL-4-producing CD4+ NK1+ TCR alpha/beta(intermediate) liver lymphocytes. Our data provide further insights into the mechanisms by which BCG and IL-12 may promote unrestricted development of Th1 responses in vivo: BCG and IL-12 not only provide the positive stimuli for Th1 cell differentiation, but also interfere with antagonizing signals.
Emoto
M
M
Department of Immunology, University of Ulm, Germany.
Emoto
Y
Y
Kaufmann
S H
SH
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000276:immunology; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000941:Antigens; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma