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Human CD4+ T cells have, like their murine counterparts, been classified on the basis of their cytokine profile. Th1 cells produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma, but little or no IL-4. Th2 cells produce IL-4 but not IFN-gamma or IL-2, and Th0 produce IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma. As IL-2 is the most potent T cell growth factor and IFN-gamma is the strongest activator of macrophages it is not surprising that CD4+ Th1 cells are considered to be pro-inflammatory. However, unlike results in the mouse, where IL-10 is only produced by Th2 cells, human IL-10 is produced by Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells. Hence some human Th1 cells are capable of producing both pro-inflammatory (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, therefore the function of these cells may not be accurately encapsulated by the 'Th1' terminology. We thus investigated the correlation of cytokine production and function in human CD4+ Th1 clones. Cytokine production (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-10) was measured in supernatants by ELISA after stimulation with solid-phase anti-CD3. The capacity of these supernatants to activate or inhibit T cell proliferation or LPS induced TNF-alpha production by monocytes was assessed. The ratio of IL-2/IL-10 or IFN-gamma/IL-10 was of critical importance in determining the function of the supernatants. The inhibitory effects were verified to be due to IL-10, as they were neutralized by anti-IL-10 mAb.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/intimm/7.8.1287

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int Immunol

Publication Date

08/1995

Volume

7

Pages

1287 - 1294

Keywords

Antibodies, Monoclonal, CD3 Complex, Cell Line, Cell-Free System, Clone Cells, Epitopes, Humans, Inflammation, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-2, Lipopolysaccharides, Lymphocyte Activation, Macrophage Activation, Th1 Cells, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha