Interferon-lambda1 (interleukin-29) preferentially down-regulates interleukin-13 over other T helper type 2 cytokine responses in vitro.
Interferon (IFN)-lambda1 [interleukin (IL)-29] is a member of the interferon lambda family (also known as type III interferons), whose members are distantly related to both the type I interferons and members of the IL-10 family. While IFN-lambda1 has significant antiviral activity, it is also becoming apparent that it has important immunoregulatory properties, especially with regard to the T helper type 2 (Th2) response. Previously, we have shown that IFN-lambda1 is capable of down-regulating IL-13 production in an IFN-gamma-independent manner and that this is mediated in part via monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Here, we have extended our knowledge of IFN-lambda1 regulation of the human in vitro Th2 response by examining the regulation of three major Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, by IFN-lambda1. Our results reveal that IFN-lambda1 preferentially inhibits IL-13 production, compared with IL-4 or IL-5. Levels of IL-13 mRNA, the amount of secreted IL-13 protein and numbers of IL-13-positive CD3(+) CD4(+) cells were all significantly diminished by IFN-lambda1. IFN-lambda1 significantly decreased some aspects of IL-4 and IL-5 production, but its effects were not as consistent as those seen on IL-13. IFN-lambda1 was also effective at decreasing IL-13 secretion under conditions designed to support the generation of Th2 cells. Irrespective of whether Concanavalin-A or T-cell-stimulatory microbeads were used, IFN-lambda1 markedly diminished IL-13 secretion in cultures where IL-4 had been added. Thus, IFN-lambda1 appears to be an inhibitor of human Th2 responses whose action is primarily directed towards IL-13 but which may also affect Th2 responses generally and does not invoke a complementary elevation of IFN-gamma secretion.
The Institute for Genetic Immunology, Hamilton, NJ 08690, USA.
Shekar
S
Srinivas
Jihong
J
Dai
Joyce
J
Eskdale
Grant E
GE
Gallagher
Nicholas J
NJ
Megjugorac
Grant
G
Gallagher
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003208:Concanavalin A; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007372:Interferons; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D003208:Concanavalin A; D007372:Interferons; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda