title: Effects of catalase and 1400W on the number of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ secreting spleen cells in mice injected with ovalbumin and alum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alum is thought to induce inflammation resulting in the release of danger signals such as uric acid (UA) which in turn enhances the immune response to an antigen. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is produced as a byproduct in the purine catabolic pathway that leads to the production of UA. In addition, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels are increased in inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To further explore the mechanism of action of alum, this study was designed to determine the effects of catalase and 1400W on the number of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreting spleen cells in mice given ovalbumin (OVA) with alum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Groups of BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with alum + OVA, alum, OVA, catalase, or 1400W. Other groups were treated with catalase or 1400W and given alum + OVA. The number of IL-4 and IFN-γ secreting spleen cells were determined at days 4 and 7 postinjection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Catalase and 1400W caused a decrease in the number of IL-4 secreting spleen cells induced by alum + OVA. 1400W caused a decline in the IFN-γ secreting spleen cells induced by alum + OVA. Catalase caused an increase in IFN-γ secreting spleen cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that H(2)O(2) and NO are needed for alum-induced production of a T-helper 2 cytokine. NO also appears to be needed, whereas H(2)O(2) appeared to inhibit an alum-induced production of a T-helper 1 cytokine. These results might explain why alum is mainly a promoter of a T-helper 2 response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nayla S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Al-Akl
authors.forename: Morouj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khaliefeh
authors.forename: Julnar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Usta
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abdelnoor
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000578:Amidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000534:Alum Compounds; D000578:Amidines; D001596:Benzylamines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C104820:N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine; D015847:Interleukin-4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C041524:aluminum sulfate; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase