Cell surface characterization of T lymphocytes and allergen-specific T cell clones: correlation of CD26 expression with T(H1) subsets.
To evaluate the possibility of using surface molecules as markers for human T helper cell subsets, we studied the expression of surface molecules on T cell clones (TCCs) specific for the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. No difference in the expression of the respective receptors for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-4, IL-6, or IL-10 could be detected on T(H) subsets, nor did CD25 expression (IL-2R alpha-chain) differ significantly. However, high expression of CD26 antigen (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) correlated with a T(H1)/T(H0)-like phenotype, whereas T(H2)-like clones displayed a lower expression of CD26 antigen. Comparing cytokine production and CD26 expression simultaneously, we found a correlation between the IL-4/IFN-gamma ratio and the density of CD26 per cell. We could show that the amount of IL-4 secretion, and not of IFN-gamma secretion, was responsible for this correlation. To evaluate whether CD26 antigen expression is regulated by stimuli inducing a T(H1)- or T(H2)-like phenotype, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured in the presence of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-12, respectively. Incubation with IL-4 led to T cells with a T(H2)-like cytokine pattern and a significantly lower expression of CD26; IFN-gamma and IL-12 led to a T(H1) shift associated with an increased expression of CD26 on CD4+ T cells. By means of intracellular cytokine detection we analyzed expression of CD26 on CD4+ PBMC stimulated to produce IFN-gamma or IL-4 on a single cell level. All activated, cytokine-producing CD4+ T cells expressed CD26, but the increase in CD26 expression was higher in cells producing IFN-gamma. These data suggest that regulation of CD26 cell surface expression correlates with the production of T(H1)-like cytokines.
Willheim
M
M
Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, University of Vienna, Austria.
Ebner
C
C
Baier
K
K
Kern
W
W
Schrattbauer
K
K
Thien
R
R
Kraft
D
D
Breiteneder
H
H
Reinisch
W
W
Scheiner
O
O
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4