Different modulation by histamine of IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release according to the phenotype of human Th0, Th1 and Th2 clones |
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| Authors: | B LAGIER, B LEBEL, J BOUSQUET, J P NE |
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| Affiliation: | B LAGIER, B LEBEL, J BOUSQUET, and J PÈNE |
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| Abstract: | Histamine, an important inflammatory mediator in allergic diseases and asthma, has been reported to have modulator effects on T cells, suggesting that the bronchial microenvironment may regulate the function of resident T cells. We examined the effect of histamine on the release of the Th2-associated cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 and the Th1-associated cytokine IFN-γ by 30 CD4+ T cell clones from peripheral blood or bronchial biopsy of one atopic subject. Based on the IL-4/IFN-γ ratio, the clones were ascribed to the Th2 (ratio >1), Th0 (ratio ![[gt-or-equal, slanted]](corehtml/pmc/pmcents/ges.gif) 0.1 and ![[less-than-or-eq, slant]](corehtml/pmc/pmcents/les.gif) 1) or Th1 (ratio <0.1) phenotype. Histamine inhibited IFN-γ production by Th1-like cells (P<0.02, Kruskall–Wallis), especially from bronchial biopsy, but had no effect on IL-4 release. Regarding Th0 clones, histamine inhibited IL-4 production (P<0.02) in a dose-dependent manner and slightly inhibited IFN-γ production, but had no effect on Th2-like cells. Histamine had a heterogeneous and insignificant effect on IL-5 production. The H2-receptor antagonist ranitidine completely reversed the inhibition of IL-4 and IFN-γ production, whereas the agonist dimaprit mimicked this effect. In contrast, H1- and H3-receptor agonists and antagonists had no significant effect. These data demonstrate that histamine has different effects on IL-4 and IFN-γ release by T helper cells according to their phenotype via H2-receptors. This study extends the immunomodulatory effects of histamine which may contribute to the perpetuation of airway inflammation in asthma. |
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| Keywords: | histamine IL-4 interferon-gamma Th2 lymphocytes allergy |
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