IL-18 potentiates the adjuvant properties of IL-12 in the induction of a strong Th1 type immune response against a recombinant antigen.
Due to the synergistic effects of IL-12 and IL-18, and to their importance in establishing a Th1 type immune response, we investigated the potential of a combined administration of both cytokines as an adjuvant for recombinant antigens. As a model system, we used a schistosome T cell antigen recently identified in our group. By co-adsorption of this antigen on alum in the presence of IL-12 and IL-18, we demonstrate that IL-18 enhances the effects of IL-12 in inducing an antigen-specific Th1 type CD4(+) T cell response as well as high titres of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies.
Eberl
M
M
Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK. me10@york.ac.uk
Beck
E
E
Coulson
P S
PS
Okamura
H
H
Wilson
R A
RA
Mountford
A P
AP
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000941:Antigens; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D020382:Interleukin-18; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12