title: Effector/memory T cells of the weanling mouse exhibit Type 2 cytokine polarization in vitro and in vivo in the advanced stages of acute energy deficit.
abstract: Our objective was to determine whether the polarizing cytokine profile of the effector/memory T-cell compartment reflects the profound decline of cell-mediated inflammatory competence that characterizes acute prepubescent malnutrition. Weanling C57BL/6J mice were permitted free access to a complete purified diet, free access to an isocaloric low-protein diet or restricted intake of the complete diet for 14 days. First, interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma concentrations generated in vitro by splenic and nodal effector/memory T cells were assessed following exposure to plate-bound anti-CD3. Second, net systemic production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 by the effector/memory T-cell compartment was assessed by the in vivo cytokine capture assay following anti-CD3 stimulation. In vitro stimulation generated less IFN-gamma (P=.002) but more IL-4 (P=.05) by T cells from the restricted-intake group relative to the age-matched control group. Similarly, in vivo stimulation generated low serum levels of antibody-captured IFN-gamma in the restricted-intake group vis-à-vis the age-matched control group (P=.01), while the IL-4 response was sustained (P=.39). By contrast, the 14-day low-protein model exhibited no change in T-cell cytokine signature either in vitro or in vivo. However, following extended consumption of the low-protein diet (26 days), carcass energy losses exceeded those of the 14-day protocol and serum levels of in vivo antibody-captured IFN-gamma were low after anti-CD3 challenge relative to the age-matched control group (P=.02), while levels of captured IL-4 remained unaffected (P=.07). Acute weanling malnutrition elicits a Type 2 polarizing cytokine character on the part of the effector/memory T-cell compartment, but only in the most advanced stages of energy decrement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.
authors.forename: Tessa A M
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Steevels
authors.forename: Lyn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hillyer
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Bill D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Woodward
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D015847:Interleukin-4