Muriel Moser

The main function of dendritic cells (DC) is to induce the differentiation of naive T lymphocytes into helper cells producing a large array of lymphokines, including interleukin (IL)-2; interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. The potent immunostimulatory properties of DC develop during a process of maturation that occurs spontaneously in vitro. Since IL-10 has been shown to inhibit Th1 responses, we determined its effect on DC maturation and accessory function. Our data show that DC that have undergone maturation in vitro in the presence of IL-10, have an impaired capacity to induce a Th1-type response in vivo, leading to the development of Th2 lymphocytes. Their inability to promote the synthesis of IFN-gamma seems to correlate with a decreased production of IL-12, an heterodimeric cytokine necessary for optimal generation of Th1-type cells. These results suggest that IL-10 skews the Th1/Th2 balance to Th2 in vivo by selectively blocking IL-12 synthesis by the antigen-presenting cells that play a role of adjuvant of the primary immune response. The cytokines present in the environment at the presentation step may, therefore, determine the class of the immune response induced by DC in vivo, i.e. Th0, Th1 and/or Th2.

The possible involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) in the metabolic disturbances induced by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was analyzed in DBA/2 mice injected with 50 micrograms of the anti-murine CD3 mAb 145-2C11. First, we found that 145-2C11 induces a profound hypothermia maximal between 3 h and 6 h after the injection (at 3 h: -3.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C) as well as hypoglycemia (blood glucose levels at 6 h and 24 h: 76 +/- 13 mg/100 ml and 92 +/- 22 mg/100 ml, respectively, p less than 0.001 as compared with control values). These metabolic changes are preceded by the release of TNF into the circulation (peak serum TNF levels at 2 h: 50 +/- 23 pg/ml, p less than 0.01 as compared with controls). The release of TNF induced by 145-2C11 depends on the effect of the mAb on T cells as it is not observed in athymic nude mice while lipopolysaccharide-resistant C3H/HeJ mice also display a significant rise in serum TNF (peak levels at 2 h: 59 +/- 44 pg/ml). Pretreatment of DBA/2 mice with 12 mg of rabbit anti-murine TNF antibodies completely prevents the hypothermia while the hypoglycemia is significantly attenuated. Finally, F(ab')2 fragments of 145-2C11 induce only a transient hypoglycemia (blood glucose levels at 6 h: 109 +/- 14, p less than 0.001 as compared with controls) but neither hypothermia nor significant TNF release. We conclude that TNF is a major mediator of the acute metabolic changes induced by the intact form of 145-2C11.

The isotype and magnitude of the B cell response clearly depends on the in vivo activation of T helper (Th) cells which secrete different lymphokines. Since Th are activated by the presentation of the antigen on specialized cells, we wished to test whether the nature of the antigen-presenting cells (APC) influences the isotypic profile of the humoral response. Data are presented showing that antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DC) and peritoneal macrophages induce the synthesis of specific antibodies when injected in syngeneic animals. By contrast, a single injection of antigen-pulsed resting B cells does not prime the mice in vivo. Moreover, the injection of antigen-pulsed DC induces the synthesis of specific IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies, whereas peritoneal macrophages favor the production of IgG1 and IgE antibodies specific for the antigen. These data show that the isotype and the amplitude of the B cell response can be regulated by the nature of the APC, and indirectly suggest that Th cell differentiation is controlled at the level of antigen presentation.