title: Modulation of neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation by Th1- and Th2-derived cytokines in human monocytic cells.
abstract: In order to examine the regulatory effects of major Th1-derived cytokines, such as IL-12, and Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, on the formation of neopterin and degradation of tryptophan, two metabolic pathways induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in human monocytes/macrophages, we investigated the human monocytic cell line THP-1, primary human macrophages, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation were induced similarly by IFN-gamma in all three cell types investigated, but the effects of interleukins were different between THP-1, primary macrophages and PBMC. In PBMC, but not in THP-1 cells and primary macrophages, IL-12 was found to be additive to the effects of IFN-gamma to superinduce neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation. IL-4 and IL-10 reduced the effects of IFN-gamma on monocytic cells, and both cytokines were additively antagonistic to IFN-gamma in PBMC and THP-1 cells. Finally, on preincubation, but not on addition of IL-12, the effects of IL-4 and IL-10 on PBMC could be abrogated, whereas no such effect was seen in THP-1 cells. The results show that IL-12 up-regulates neopterin formation and tryptophan degradation by inducing additional IFN-gamma production by Th1 cells, while a direct effect of IL-12 on monocytes/macrophages appears to be absent. Similarly, IL-4 and IL-10 inhibit neopterin production and tryptophan degradation in PBMC by down-regulating Th1-type cytokine production and possibly also via direct deactivation of IFN-gamma effects towards monocytes/macrophages. The results clearly show how Th1 cell-mediated immunity may be up- or down-regulated by endogenous cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zoller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Widner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ludescher
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019798:Neopterin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D019798:Neopterin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D014364:Tryptophan