In these studies, IFN gamma-inducing factor (IGIF), unlike IL-12, did not drive Th1 development in BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, but like IL-1alpha, potentiated IL-12-driven Th1 development in BALB/c mice. IGIF and IL-12 synergized for IFN gamma production from Th1 cells. Unlike IL-1alpha, IGIF had no effect on Th2 cells. IGIF signaled through IRAK, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase, to induce nuclear translocation of p65/p50 NFkappaB in Th1 cells. IL-1alpha had no effect on proliferation, cytokine production, or NFkappaB activation in Th1 cells but activated NFkappaB and proliferation in Th2 cells. Thus, Th1 and Th2 cells may differ in responsiveness and receptor expression for IL-1 family molecules. IGIF and IL-1alpha may differentially amplify Th1 and Th2 effector responses, respectively.

SummaryThe dose of foreign antigen can influence whether a cell-mediated or humoral class ofirm'nune response is elicited, and this may be largely accounted for by the development of CD4 + T helper cells (Th) producing distinct sets of cytokines. The ability of antigen dose to direct the development of a Thl or Th2 phenotype from naive CD4 + T cells, however, has not been demonstrated. In this report, we show that the antigen dose used in primary cultures could directly affect Th phenotype development from naive DOl1.10 TCR-et[3-transgenic CD4 + T cells when dendritic cells or activated B cells were used as the antigen-presenting cells. Consistent with our previous findings, midrange peptide doses (0.3-0.6 p,M) directed the development of Th0/Thl-like cells, which produced moderate amounts of interferon ~/ (IFN-y). As the peptide dose was increased, development of Thl-like cells producing increased amounts of IFN-'y was initially observed. At very high (>10 p,M) and very low (<0.05 b~M) doses of antigenic peptide, however, a dramatic switch to development of Th2-1ike cells that produced increasing amounts of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and diminishing levels of IFN-y was observed. This was true even when highly purified naive, high buoyant density CD4 + LECAM-1 hi T cells were used, ruling out a possible contribution from contaminating "memory" phenotype CD4 + T cells. Neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibodies completely inhibited the development of this Th2-like phenotype at both high and low antigen doses, demonstrating a requirement for endogenous IL-4. Our findings suggest that the antigen dose may affect the levels of endogenous cytokines such as IL-4 in primary cultures, resulting in the development of distinct Th cell phenotypes.

IgM is the first antibody to be produced in a humoral immune response and plays an important role in the primary stages of immunity. Here we describe a mouse Fc receptor, designated Fc alpha/microR, and its human homolog, that bind both IgM and IgA with intermediate or high affinity. Fc alpha/microR is constitutively expressed on the majority of B lymphocytes and macrophages. Cross-linking Fc alpha/microR expressed on a pro-B cell line Ba/F3 transfectant with soluble IgM or IgM-coated microparticles induced internalization of the receptor. Fc alpha/microR also mediated primary B lymphocyte endocytosis of IgM-coated Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, Fc alpha/microR is involved in the primary stages of the immune response to microbes.

NK cells use a variety of receptors to detect abnormal cells, including

Commitment of T helper 1 (Th1) or Th2 populations developing during an immune response to a pathogen, or an inappropriate immune response to an allergen or autoantigen, may determine the difference between health and chronic disease. We show that strongly polarized Th1 and Th2 populations assessed by immunoassay are heterogeneous using flow cytometry to detect single cells producing interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). Th1 populations arising after 1 wk of stimulation in IL-12 plus anti-IL-4 antibodies could convert to Th2 cells when restimulated in IL-4. Th2 populations resulting from stimulation for 1 wk in IL-4 could give rise to Th1 cells upon restimulation in IL-12 plus anti-IL-4. In contrast, the cytokine profiles of long-term Th1 and Th2 populations arising originally from repeated stimulation in IL-12 or IL-4 appeared more homogeneous and were not reversible, although IL-4 dramatically reduced the number of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells. This may explain previous reports that Th1 cells can be converted to Th2 cells.

Whereas ligation of the DNAM-1 adhesion molecule triggers cytotoxicity mediated by normal NK and T cells, this function was defective in NK cell clones from leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome. However, genetic reconstitution of cell surface expression of LFA-1 restored the ability of DNAM-1 to initiate anti-DNAM-1 mAb-induced cytotoxicity, indicating a functional relationship between DNAM-1 and LFA-1. Further studies demonstrated that LFA-1 physically associates with DNAM-1 in NK cells and anti-CD3 mAb stimulated T cells, for which serine phosphorylation of DNAM-1 plays a critical role. In addition, cross-linking of LFA-1 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of DNAM-1, for which the Fyn protein tyrosine kinase is responsible. These results indicate that DNAM-1 is involved in the LFA-1-mediated intracellular signals.

CD226 (DNAM-1) is an adhesion molecule involved in NK and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against certain tumors. Here, we have identified the human poliovirus receptor-related (PRR) family members CD155 [poliovirus receptor (PVR)] and CD112 (nectin-2/PRR-2) as the ligands for human CD226. Ectopic expression of human CD155 and/or CD112 rendered mouse BW5147 T cells more susceptible to IL-2-activated T and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and killing was specifically inhibited by anti-CD226 mAb, demonstrating functional interactions of CD226 with CD155 and CD112. Although the binding affinities between soluble CD226 and CD155 or CD112 were comparable, the homophilic interaction of cell-surface CD112 may adversely affect CD226 binding to CD112. We also demonstrate that ligation of CD226 and LFA-1 with their respective ligands cooperates in triggering cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion by T and NK cells.

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