title: Efficient induction of an antigen-specific, T helper type 1 immune response by interleukin-12-secreting fibroblasts.
abstract: To determine whether the paracrine secretion of interleukin (IL)-12 can efficiently convert immune responses characterized by high levels of synthesis of IL-4 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) into T helper 1 (Th1)-dominated responses, 3T3 fibroblasts were stably transfected to secrete IL-12 (480 units/10(6) cells/48 hr). Their effects on the T helper cell-mediated immune response were investigated in ovalbumin (OVA)-primed mice. Free mouse recombinant IL-12 was included as a control group. IL-12-secreting fibroblasts (3T3/IL-12) were more effective than free recombinant IL-12 at increasing OVA-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and decreasing OVA-specific IL-4 production in CD4+ T cells. In addition, injection with 3T3/IL-12 cells significantly increased anti-OVA immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) levels and decreased anti-OVA IgE levels in OVA-primed mice. This work suggests that IL-12-secreting fibroblasts can efficiently induce an antigen-specific Th1 response and may be beneficial in the treatment of diseases caused by undesirable T helper 2 (Th2)-dominated responses, including allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and College of Medicine, Chonnam National University, Kwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin