Indirect suppression of IL-7-responsive B cell precursors by vasoactive intestinal peptide.
Bone marrow is supplied with nerves and neuropeptides that influence a variety of cellular responses. This study represents an initial evaluation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as a possible regulator of B lineage lymphocyte formation. As little as 10(-10) M concentrations of VIP inhibited the IL-7-driven clonal proliferation of pre-B cells in semisolid agar cultures. The response was blocked by a VIP antagonist and augmented by the ectoenzyme inhibitor, phosphoramidon. Suspensions of highly enriched B lineage precursors were unaffected by VIP unless they were cocultured with macrophage-like cells and conditioned medium from VIP-treated macrophages contained inhibitory activity. Neutralizing Abs were used to determine that IFN-alpha is at least one substance that is elicited by exposure of macrophages to VIP. These findings suggest that a neuropeptide can potentially modulate lymphopoiesis through a regulatory circuit that involves macrophages and IFN-alpha. They also raise the possibility that VIP can participate in antiviral defense.
Shimozato
T
T
Immunobiology and Cancer Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
Kincade
P W
PW
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D015851:Interleukin-7; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide