Interferon gamma stabilizes the T helper cell type 1 phenotype.
T helper cell (Th)1-primed CD4 T cells from wild-type donors make little interleukin (IL)-4 when restimulated under Th2 conditions. However, such restimulation of Th1-primed cells from interferon (IFN)-gamma(2/-) or IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR)(-/-) mice resulted in substantial production of IL-4 and other Th2 cytokines. Adding IFN-gamma to the priming culture markedly diminished the capacity of Th1-primed IFN-gamma(2/-) cells to express IL-4. Even IFN-gamma-producing cells from IFN-gammaR(-/-) mice could acquire IL-4-producing capacity. Thus, IFN-gamma is not required for the development of IFN-gamma-producing capacity, but it plays a critical role in suppressing the IL-4-producing potential of Th1 cells.
Zhang
Y
Y
The Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Apilado
R
R
Coleman
J
J
Ben-Sasson
S
S
Tsang
S
S
Hu-Li
J
J
Paul
W E
WE
Huang
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
D016207:Cytokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015847:Interleukin-4; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor