Transfer of myelin-specific cells deviated in vitro towards IL-4 production ameliorates ongoing experimental allergic neuritis.
A causal role of IL-4 (Th2) production for recovery in experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) was indicated by experiments where Th1-like autoreactive cell populations, taken from the induction phase of the disease, were deviated to extensive secretion of IL-4 in a selective fashion, by ex vivo stimulation with autoantigen in the presence of IL-4. The deviated cells were adoptively transferred to EAN rats at a time just prior to the onset of clinical signs. This treatment ameliorated EAN compared with sham treatment. This therapeutic approach, with generation of autoreactive IL-4-secreting cells ex vivo followed by subsequent adoptive transfer, may become a new selective treatment of organ-specific autoimmune diseases since, in contrast to previous attempts, it is done in a physiological and technically easy way.
Ekerfelt
C
C
Department of Health and Environment, Division of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Christina.Ekerfelt@kfc.liu.se
Dahle
C
C
Weissert
R
R
Kvarnström
M
M
Olsson
T
T
Ernerudh
J
J
D019264:Adoptive Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D008297:Male; D018996:Myelin P2 Protein / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*
D016207:Cytokines; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D018996:Myelin P2 Protein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C076290:myelin P2 peptide SP26; D015847:Interleukin-4