Alcohol consumption alters antigen-specific Th1 responses: mechanisms of deficit and repair.
Among the physiological effects associated with excessive alcohol consumption are alterations in immune function. Alcohol impairs T-helper 1 lymphocyte (Th1) regulated, cell-mediated immune responses. Antibody responses, regulated by T-helper 2 lymphocyte (Th2), are either unimpaired or enhanced. Antigen presenting cells are central to the development of both Th1 and Th2 regulated immune responses. We used both T-cell receptor transgenic and conventionally immunized mice to demonstrate that ethanol consumption directly affects antigen presenting cells that, in turn, determines whether Th1 or Th2 response patterns predominate. Ethanol consumption inhibits Th1-associated interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma cytokine production and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Administration of exogenous recombinant interleukin-12 both restores interferon-gamma levels and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in ethanol-consuming mice.
Waltenbaugh
C
C
Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3073, USA.
Vasquez
K
K
Peterson
J D
JD
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma