Enhanced Th2-like responses in IL-1 type 1 receptor-deficient mice

Signaling and transcription in T helper development

The recognition of polarized T cell subsets defined by cytokine production was followed by a search to define the factors controlling this phenomenon. Suitable in vitro systems allowed the development of cytokine "recipes" that induced rapid polarization of naïve T cells into Th1 or Th2 populations. The next phase of work over the past several years has begun to define the intracellular processes set into motion during Th1/Th2 development, particularly by the strongly polarizing cytokines IL-12 and IL-4. Although somewhat incomplete, what has emerged is a richly detailed tapestry of signaling and transcription, controlling an important T cell developmental switch. In addition several new mediators of control have emerged, including IL-18, the intriguing Th2-selective T1/ST2 product, and heterogeneity in dendritic cells capable of directing cytokine-independent Th development.

Secretion of bioactive interleukin-1β by dendritic cells is modulated by interaction with antigen specific T cells

The role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) as a regulator of the immune response, although extensively investigated, is still debated. We then studied the expression of IL-1β by human dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen presenting cells, and its modulation during immune reactions in vitro. Our results show that, on maturation or tetanus toxoid presentation to specific CD4+ CD40L+T lymphocytes, DCs begin to accumulate IL-1β precursor (pro–IL-1β) but do not secrete bioactive IL-1β. In contrast, interaction with alloreactive T cells results in both stimulation of pro–IL-1β synthesis and secretion of processed isoforms of the cytokine, that display biologic activity. Both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets of allospecific T lymphocytes are required: CD4+ T cells drive the synthesis of pro–IL-1β through CD40 engagement but have no effects on pro–IL-1β processing; CD8+ T cells, unable to induce synthesis of pro–IL-1β per se, are responsible for the generation of mature IL-1β by pro–IL-1β–producing DCs. Interleukin-1β–converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitors do not prevent the recovery of IL-1β bioactivity after allorecognition, indicating that allospecific CD8+ T cells may induce the release of bioactive IL-1β via mechanism(s) other than ICE activation. Altogether, these findings suggest that CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets have distinct roles in the induction of IL-1β secretion by DCs and support the hypothesis that IL-1β plays a role in cell-mediated immune responses.

Secretion of bioactive interleukin-1β by dendritic cells is modulated by interaction with antigen specific T cells

The role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) as a regulator of the immune response, although extensively investigated, is still debated. We then studied the expression of IL-1β by human dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen presenting cells, and its modulation during immune reactions in vitro. Our results show that, on maturation or tetanus toxoid presentation to specific CD4+ CD40L+T lymphocytes, DCs begin to accumulate IL-1β precursor (pro–IL-1β) but do not secrete bioactive IL-1β. In contrast, interaction with alloreactive T cells results in both stimulation of pro–IL-1β synthesis and secretion of processed isoforms of the cytokine, that display biologic activity. Both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets of allospecific T lymphocytes are required: CD4+ T cells drive the synthesis of pro–IL-1β through CD40 engagement but have no effects on pro–IL-1β processing; CD8+ T cells, unable to induce synthesis of pro–IL-1β per se, are responsible for the generation of mature IL-1β by pro–IL-1β–producing DCs. Interleukin-1β–converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitors do not prevent the recovery of IL-1β bioactivity after allorecognition, indicating that allospecific CD8+ T cells may induce the release of bioactive IL-1β via mechanism(s) other than ICE activation. Altogether, these findings suggest that CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets have distinct roles in the induction of IL-1β secretion by DCs and support the hypothesis that IL-1β plays a role in cell-mediated immune responses.

Interleukin 1alpha activity of peritoneal and bone marrow macrophages infected with Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani in vitro

In this study, the pattern of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) production by both peritoneal (PM) and bone marrow macrophages (BMM) from resistant (C3H/HeJ) and susceptible (BALB/c) mice was investigated, using a bioassay and an IL-1alpha-specific ELISA kit. PM from normal uninfected mice showed either an initial high (C3H/HeJ) or a neglected (BALB/c) level of IL-1alpha activity, respectively, probably due to thioglycollate stimulation. Infection with Leishmania major induced only a marginal effect on IL-1 production by both cells. Normal, uninfected and unstimulated BMM from both mice did not produce IL-1alpha over a 7-day period of cultivation in vitro. Upon stimulation with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (BALB/c) or concanavalin A (Con A) (C3H/HeJ), both cell types produced IL-1alpha that peaked within the first 12-24 h following stimulation. BMM from C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice failed to produce IL-1alpha when infected in vitro with L. major or L. donovani promastigotes. However, infection with these two parasites did not interfere with the capability of the host cell to produce IL-1alpha when stimulated with LPS or Con A. The level of IL-1alpha production was independent of the degree of parasitization of the macrophages. Similar results were observed with IL-1beta and IL-6 production by BMM, even though their levels were generally slightly higher than those obtained with IL-1alpha.

Leishmania species: models of intracellular parasitism

Leishmania species are obligate intracellular parasites of cells of the macrophage-dendritic cell lineage. Indeed, the ability to survive and multiply within macrophages is a feature of a surprising number of infectious agents of major importance to public health, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi. The relationship between such organisms and their host cells is particularly intriguing because, not only are macrophages capable of potent microbicidal activity, but in their antigen-presenting capacity they can orchestrate the developing immune response. Thus, to initiate a successful infection parasites must gain entry into macrophages, and also withstand or circumvent their killing and degradative functions. However, to sustain a chronic infection, parasites must also subvert macrophage-accessory-cell activities and ablate the development of protective immunity. The leishmanias produce a wide spectrum of disease in mice, and as such they have provided excellent models for studying problems associated with intracellular parasitism. In recent years, largely using these organisms, we have made enormous progress in elucidating the mechanisms by which successful intracellular infection occurs. Furthermore, characterization of immunological pathways that are responsible for resistance or susceptibility to Leishmania has given rise to the Th1/Th2 paradigm of cellular/humoral dominance of the immune response.