Endotoxin-induced gamma interferon production: contributing cell types and key regulatory factors.
Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is an important mediator of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])-induced immune responses. However, the specific cell types that produce IFN-gamma in response to LPS and the cellular factors that regulate LPS-induced IFN-gamma production have not been fully determined. The present studies were undertaken to characterize the cell populations that produce IFN-gamma after LPS challenge in the spleens of mice and to determine the regulatory factors that modulate LPS-induced production of IFN-gamma. Our studies show that the levels of splenic IFN-gamma mRNA and protein production peak at 6 and 8 h, respectively, after systemic LPS challenge. Approximately 60% of IFN-gamma-producing cells are natural killer (NK) cells (CD3(-)DX5(+)) and 25% are NKT cells (CD3(+)DX5(+)). Most of the remaining IFN-gamma-producing cells are T cells (CD3(+)DX5(-)), macrophages, and dendritic cells. Functionally, interleukin-12 (IL-12) is the major IFN-gamma-stimulating factor after LPS challenge, with costimulation provided by IL-15, IL-18, and B7 proteins. IL-10 is a major inhibitor of LPS-induced IFN-gamma production. Unlike intact heat-killed gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, the class II major histocompatibility complex did not play a functional role in LPS-induced IFN-gamma production. LPS is a potent stimulus for splenic IL-10, IL-12 p40, and IL-15 mRNA expression, whereas IL-12 p35 and IL-18 mRNAs, as well as B7 proteins, are constitutively expressed in the mouse spleen. Of the factors studied, IL-18 serves as the most potent costimulus with IL-12 for IFN-gamma production, followed by IL-15 and B7 proteins. These data demonstrate that NK cells and NKT cells are the most abundant IFN-gamma-producing cells in the mouse spleen after LPS challenge and that IL-10 and IL-12 are key functional regulators of LPS-induced IFN-gamma production.
Varma
Tushar K
TK
Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0591, USA.
Lin
Cheng Y
CY
Toliver-Kinsky
Tracy E
TE
Sherwood
Edward R
ER
D000818:Animals; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology*; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000276:immunology*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D019409:Interleukin-15; D020382:Interleukin-18; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma