CpG ODN对rHBsAg免疫小鼠Th1/Th2型免疫应答的影响

目的：初步探讨CpC寡脱氧核苷酸(CpG ODN)与重组乙型肝炎表面抗原(rHBsAg)联合免疫小鼠的Th1／Th2型免疫应答效应。方法：BALB／c小鼠经后腿胫骨前肌免疫2次，ELISA法检测血清乙型肝炎表面抗体(抗-HBs)IgG亚类IgG2a/IgG1的比值；生物活性法检测脾细胞诱生上清中的IFN-γ和IL-2含量；ABC-ELISA法检测小鼠血清中IL-4、IL-10及IL-12含量。结果：加CpG ODN组与单独注射rHBsAg组相比：抗-HBs IgG亚类IgG2a／IgG1比值明显高；Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-2的表达增强，抑制Th2型细胞因子IL-4和IL-10的产生。结论：CpCODN能够明显增强rHBsAg免疫小鼠Th1型抗体亚类IgG2a的产生，并且诱导Th1型细胞因子的表达，抑制Th2型细胞因子的表达。     

CpG和Al(OH)3佐剂联合使用增强丙型肝炎病毒重组蛋白疫苗的细胞免疫原性

目的 CpG和Al(OH)3佐剂联合使用增强丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)重组蛋白联合疫苗(TFE)的细胞免疫原性.方法 以CpG、Al(OH)3、Al(OH)3+CpG和弗氏佐剂(FA)为免疫佐剂,分别与TFE混合免疫BALB/c小鼠.末次免疫后10 d取静脉血,分离血清,用ELISA方法测定血清中特异性抗体,并每组处死5只小鼠,分离小鼠脾细胞,体外检测IFN-γ、IL-4和CTL杀伤试验;剩余的小鼠背部皮下注射1×106个SP2/O-NS3细胞,观察其保护作用.组间均数差异用LSD-t检验.结果 TFE+Al(OH)3+CpG组的特异性CTL杀伤能力高于TFE+FA组和TFE+CpG组(P<0.05);与TFE+Al(OH)3组和TFE+CpG组相比,TFE+Al(OH)3+CpG组小鼠脾细胞中分泌IFN-γ的淋巴细胞的数量显著增多(P<0.05).结论 Al(OH)3和CpG合用能显著增强HCV重组蛋白联合疫苗TFE的细胞免疫原性;TFE+Al(OH)3+CpG能有效预防表达HCV非结构蛋白NS3的细胞SP2/0-NS3对免疫小鼠的攻击.     

黑大蒜提取物对小鼠细胞免疫应答影响的初步探讨

目的:探讨黑大蒜提取物对BALB/c小鼠细胞免疫功能的影响。方法:连续5天给予小鼠腹腔注射黑大蒜提取物溶液。从第6天开始处死鼠,分离培养脾细胞,生物学方法检测自然杀伤(NK)细胞杀伤活性,Griess法检测脾细胞培养上清一氧化氮(NO)的分泌水平,ELISA法检测脾细胞培养上清IL-2、IL-4、IFN-γ和TNF-α的水平,RT-PCR方法检测脾细胞FasLmRNA的表达水平。结果:黑大蒜提取物能显著增强NK细胞杀伤活性,促进NO和Th1型细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α的分泌,IL-4水平略有降低,脾细胞FasLmRNA的表达水平未见明显变化。结论:黑大蒜提取物对小鼠细胞免疫应答具有一定的促进效应。     

鞘内应用右美托咪定改善完全弗氏佐剂诱导的大鼠慢性炎性痛行为及其机制研究

目的:观察鞘内应用右美托咪定(dexmedetomidine,DEX)对完全弗氏佐剂(complete Freund’s adjuvant,CFA)诱导的大鼠慢性炎性痛行为的改善作用并探讨其机制。方法:足底注射CFA制备大鼠慢性炎性痛模型,经鞘内给予不同剂量的DEX,采用辐射热法连续观察给药后大鼠痛行为,评价单次给药后的镇痛持续时间,并计算半数有效量(50%effective dose,ED50);旷场和转棒试验观察鞘内应用不同剂量DEX对大鼠运动功能的影响;应用免疫组织化学染色和Western Blot方法观察连续给予DEXED507 d后大鼠腰膨大平面脊髓背角星形胶质细胞活化程度。结果:鞘内应用DEX呈剂量依赖性地改善CFA诱导的大鼠辐射热痛敏且不影响运动功能;鞘内持续应用DEXED50可产生持久的镇痛效应;免疫组织化学染色和Western Blot结果均表明,与对照组相比,持续给药7 d后慢性炎性痛大鼠腰膨大平面脊髓背角星形胶质细胞的活化程度显著减轻(P0.05)。结论:鞘内应用DEX可剂量依赖性改善CFA诱导的大鼠慢性炎性痛,连续给药可产生持久的镇痛效果,其机制可能与抑制脊髓星形胶质细胞活化有关。     

IL-23、IL-27对RSV重组蛋白疫苗免疫原性的影响

目的:以编码IL-23和IL-27的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-IL-23(以下简称IL-23)和pcDNA3.1-IL-27(以下简称IL-27)为佐剂,与呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)重组蛋白疫苗G1F/M2共免疫小鼠,观察IL-23和IL-27对疫苗的免疫原性的影响。方法:以IL-23、IL-27质粒和Al(OH)3为免疫佐剂,与G1F/M2共免疫BALB/c小鼠,末次免疫后10天杀死小鼠,用ELISA检测特异性IgG、IgG1和IgG2a水平;流式细胞术检测小鼠脾细胞CD4+、CD8+细胞的变化;用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法检测特异性小鼠脾细胞杀伤活性。结果:G1F/M2+Al(OH)3+IL-23和G1F/M2+Al(OH)3+IL-27可诱导高效价的IgG、IgG1、IgG2a抗体,且显著高于这三种佐剂单独使用诱导的抗体效价;流式细胞检测结果显示G1F/M2+IL-23和G1F/M2+Al(OH)3+IL-23刺激的CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞水平显著高于其他组;单独的IL-23或IL-27对G1F/M2诱导的脾细胞杀伤活性没有增强作用,而Al(OH)3+IL-23和Al(OH)3+IL-27佐剂组的杀伤率显著高于单独的IL-23、IL-27或Al(OH)3组。结论:这些结果表明:IL-23或IL-27质粒与传统铝盐佐剂Al(OH)3联合使用能显著增强RSV重组疫苗G1F/M2的免疫原性。     

CpG ODN佐剂对呼吸道合胞病毒重组疫苗诱导的细胞免疫应答的作用

目的:研究CpG2216佐剂对呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)重组蛋白疫苗诱导的细胞免疫应答的作用。方法:重组RSV疫苗G1F/M2与CpG2216佐剂混合,或与CpG2216及常规佐剂Al(OH)3混合,鼻腔(i.n.)或腹腔注射(i.p.)免疫BALB/c小鼠三次,最后一次免疫后2周杀小鼠,取脾细胞,用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法检测脾细胞特异性杀伤活性;用ELISPOT法检测分泌IFNγ-和IL-4的细胞;用流式细胞仪检测CD4+/CD8+效应及LDH记忆细胞。结果:与G1F/M2相比,CpG+G1F/M2鼻腔或腹腔注射免疫均诱导了显著的杀伤活性;而且G1F/M2+Al+CpG(i.p.)诱导的杀伤活性显著高于CpG+G1F/M2(i.p.)。ELISPOT结果显示:CpG+G1F/M2鼻腔免疫和腹腔注射免疫组的分泌IFNγ-和IL-4的淋巴细胞数量明显多于G1F/M2组;CpG+Al+G1F/M2(i.p.)组的细胞数显著多于CpG+G1F/M2(i.p.)组;且各组分泌IFNγ-的淋巴细胞数显著多于分泌IL-4的淋巴细胞,即均诱导了Th1型优势应答,有利于宿主抗病毒。流式细胞仪检测结果表明:CpG+G1F/M2(i.n.)仅诱导CD44+单阳性的细胞,而CpG+G1F/M2(i.p.)和CpG+Al+G1F/M2(i.p.)既诱导产生了CD44+单阳性细胞,也产生了CD44+CD62L+双阳性的记忆细胞。结论:CpG2216作为RSV重组疫苗G1F/M2的佐剂,可显著增强细胞免疫应答。     

重组质粒pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISS)对Balb/c小鼠的免疫作用

目的探讨重组质粒pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISS)对Balb/c小鼠免疫的作用。方法构建真核表达质粒pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISSb,ISSc),将其免疫Balb/c小鼠,ELISA法检测免疫后小鼠血清中HBcAb、IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12、IL-4和IL-10的含量。结果 pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISSb,ISSc)重组质粒均能诱导Balb/c小鼠产生特异性抗体HBcAb,pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISSb)组较pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISSc)组产生的抗-HBc效价显著增高(P<0.01),且其免疫Balb/c小鼠后能使Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-2和IL-12的表达增强,抑制Th2型细胞因子IL-4和IL-10的产生。结论 pZeoSV2(+)/CpG-HBcAg(ISSb,ISSc)重组质粒对小鼠HBcAb的产生具有明显的促进作用,含CpG-HBcAg(ISSb)的重组质粒能够明显增强小鼠血清Th1型细胞因子的表达,抑制Th2型细胞因子的表达。     

细胞信号转导介导与日本血吸虫特异性Th1/Th2免疫偏移

分别于小鼠感染日本血吸虫后 0、 4、 6、 8和 12周 ,取脾淋巴细胞体外培养 ,进行细胞信号转导抑制试验 ,观察酪氨酸蛋白激酶 (TPK )、蛋白激酶C (PKC )和磷酯酰肌醇 3 激酶 (PI 3 K )特异性抑制剂 (Tyrphostin 2 5、D sphingosine和Wort mannin )分别特异性抑制和不同组合抑制TPK、PKC和PI 3K后 ,对小鼠脾淋巴细胞经虫卵可溶性抗原 (SEA )诱生IL 2、IFN γ和IL 4的表达水平及对Th1/Th2免疫偏移的影响。结果发现Tyrphostin 2 5对IL 2、IFN γ和IL 4水平的抑制作用均非常显著(P <0 0 1) ,D sphingosine主要影响IL 4的表达 (P <0 0 1) ,而Wortmannin则主要影响IFN γ的表达 (P <0 0 1) ,Tyrphostin 2 5和Wortmannin联合应用可完全阻断IL 2的表达及增强对IFN γ的抑制作用 ,Tyrphostin 2 5和D sphingosine联合应用可完全阻断IL 4的表达。对反映Th1/Th2免疫平衡的Th2分化指数分析表明 ,D sphingosine可使Th2免疫应答优势减弱 ,而Wort mannin则可使Th2免疫应答优势增强。研究结果表明 ,干预细胞信号转导可调节日本血吸虫特异性Th1/Th2细胞因子表达水平及Th1/Th2免疫偏移 ,为探索控制日本血吸虫卵肉芽肿病变的潜在新途径 ,提供了实验依据。     

IL-2和GM-CSF表达质粒对pcDNA3/MDC-VP1 DNA疫苗作用的比较

目的:比较IL-2与GM-CSF两种细胞因子对pcDNA3/MDC-VP1 DNA疫苗免疫的免疫增强效果.方法:4～6周龄雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分成pcDNA3组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1与pcDNA3/hIL-2混合注射组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1与pcDNA3/mGM-CSF混合注射组,每组10只.每3周接种1次,共3次.每次接种后的第20天眼眶采血,用微量中和试验(固定病毒-稀释血清法)检测血清中和抗体效价.第3次免疫后3周,每组取3只小鼠脾脏制备淋巴细胞悬液,检测淋巴细胞增殖活性与特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤活性.结果:pcDNA3/MDC-VP1+pcDNA3/mGM-CSF组的血清中和抗体滴度明显提高,小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性均有增强.结论:GM-CSF作为本疫苗分子佐剂能诱导小鼠产生较强的体液和细胞免疫,免疫效果优于IL-2.     

Comparison of the adjuvant activity of aluminum hydroxide and calcium phosphate on the antibody response towards Bothrops asper snake venom

Abstract

The adjuvanticity of aluminum hydroxide and calcium phosphate on the antibody response in mice towards the venom of the snake Bothrops asper was studied. It was found that, in vitro, most of the venom proteins are similarly adsorbed by both mineral salts, with the exception of some basic phospholipases A₂, which are better adsorbed by calcium phosphate. After injection, the adjuvants promoted a slow release of the venom, as judged by the lack of acute toxicity when lethal doses of venom were administered to mice. Leukocyte recruitment induced by the venom was enhanced when it was adsorbed on both mineral salts; however, venom adsorbed on calcium phosphate induced a higher antibody response towards all tested HPLC fractions of the venom. On the other hand, co-precipitation of venom with calcium phosphate was the best strategy for increasing: (1) the capacity of the salt to couple venom proteins in vitro; (2) the venom ability to induce leukocyte recruitment; (3) phagocytosis by macrophages; and (4) a host antibody response. These findings suggest that the chemical nature is not the only one determining factor of the adjuvant activity of mineral salts.     

Adjuvant effect of zinc oxide on Th2 but not Th1 immune responses in mice

Background and aim: We investigated the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice.

Material and methods: Mice were intraperitoneally administered with ovalbumin (OVA) with or without varying doses of ZnO (day 0). On day 21, anti-OVA IgG, IgG2a, IgG1, and IgE antibodies in sera, OVA-specific proliferative responses of spleen cells, and production of Th1 cytokines including IFN-γ as well as Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 were measured.

Results: The results showed that administration of OVA with ZnO was followed by greater increases in anti-OVA IgG and the antigen-specific splenocyte proliferation compared to that of OVA alone. The production of anti-OVA IgG1 and IgE and secretion of IL-4 and IL-5 were markedly enhanced by ZnO. The enhancing effect of ZnO on these Th2 responses was as strong as aluminium hydroxide (Alum) that was widely used as an adjuvant. In contrast, treatment with OVA plus ZnO failed to affect production of anti-OVA IgG2a as well as IFN-γ. It was also observed that ZnO had a stimulating effect on the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 from a new lineage of effector Th cells.

Conclusion: These results suggest that ZnO appears to have an adjuvant effect on the immune system, especially Th2 but not Th1 immune responses.     

氢氧化铝佐剂对重组大肠杆菌表达的戊型肝炎239抗原的吸附研究

目的:探索氢氧化铝佐剂对重组大肠杆菌表达的戊型肝炎239抗原(HEV239)的吸附力种类以及在戊肝疫苗制备研究中的应用。方法:用兰格缪尔吸附方程计算在不同浓度氯化钠(NaCl)或乙二烯乙二醇(EG)条件下,HEV239在氢氧化铝佐剂表面的最大吸附量(Γm),根据Γm随NaCl或EG浓度变化趋势判断吸附作用力的种类。配制添加多羟基化合物且含不同浓度磷酸盐的试验疫苗,计算Γm并绘制其随磷浓度变化的曲线。ELISA法定量检测并计算含不同浓度磷的试验疫苗与羊淋巴液作用12h后抗原的吸附率。结果:HEV239的Γm随离子强度(NaCl浓度)或疏水物质浓度(EG体积)增加而降低,也随磷酸盐浓度增加而降低。疫苗在羊淋巴液中的抗原吸附率随磷酸盐浓度增加而降低,最终达到稳定水平。结论:HEV239在氢氧化铝佐剂表面的吸附受到静电引力和疏水作用力的双重影响。利用此机理向疫苗中添加磷酸盐和多羟基化合物可降低疫苗抗原在制剂中的吸附量和在羊淋巴液中的吸附率。     

Tamoxifen counteracts the allergic immune response and improves allergen‐induced dermatitis in mice

Background Tamoxifen (TX) represents the prototype selective oestrogen receptor modulator. In addition to its use in breast cancer, TX possesses immunomodulatory functions and displays beneficial effects in models of systemic lupus erythematosus. We hypothesized that TX might inhibit type I allergic reactions, which are also characterized by deviations in humoral immunity. Objective To evaluate the effects of TX on the allergic immune response in appropriate mouse models. Methods Balb/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA)‐alum by the intraperitoneal route, and humoral parameters, T cell cytokine patterns and OVA‐induced ear swelling responses were determined in a preventive (start of TX treatment before sensitization) and a therapeutic setting (start after sensitization), respectively. In addition, the impact of TX on clinical signs, epidermal thickness and leucocyte infiltration of the skin was investigated in a model of allergen‐induced dermatitis. Results Preventive TX treatment interfered with all aspects of the allergic immune response, leading to a reduction of allergen‐specific Ig levels (IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a), a skewing effect in the T cell compartment with the inhibition of IL‐4 and an abrogation of ear swelling responses. Interestingly, a therapeutic TX administration was also effective in reducing Ig levels and ear swelling responses. The vigorous systemic effects were additionally mirrored by local changes in allergen‐dependent dermatitis with reduced clinical symptoms, diminished epidermal thickness and decreased CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell infiltrates. Conclusion TX inhibits allergic responses when given preventively and also therapeutically, and improves allergen‐induced dermatitis. Because of its effectiveness, TX could bear significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergies. Cite this as: M. Babina, F. Kirn, D. Hoser, D. Ernst, W. Rohde, T. Zuberbier and M. Worm, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1256–1265.     

The role of IL-12 in the maintenance of an established Th1 immune response in experimental leishmaniasis

IL-12 initiates the development of cell-mediated immunity by promoting the differentiation of naive T cells into the Th1 phenotype, and is essential in the development of a Th1 immune response to the intracellular protozoan parasite, Leishmania major. The present study investigated whether IL-12 is also required for the maintenance and effector function of an established Th1 immune response in L. major -infected mice. While neutralization of IL-12 com promised the ability of a leishmanial antigen-reactive Th1 cell clone to produce IFN-γ in vitro, lymphnode cells taken from 2-week L. major -infected mice were able to secrete IFN-γ in an IL-12-independent manner. However, when a short-term T cell line was established in vitro from lymph node cells, the production of IFN-γ again became IL-12 dependent. These results suggest that other factors may compensate for IL-12 in vivo in promoting IFN-γ production during L. major infection. To directly assess if IL-12 was required in vivo for resistance to L. major, we studied the effect of IL-12 neutralization on both a primary and secondary L. major infection in C3H mice. L. major infection in C3H mice is characterized by the development of a small lesion that heals by 8 weeks, and these animals are resistant to reinfection. As previously reported, administration of anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) during a primary infection led to severe disease. However, mice that had healed from a primary infection with L. major and were treated with anti-IL-12 mAb were as resistant as control animals. These findings suggest that once Th1 cells have developed, their effector function in vivo is independent of IL-12, and that this independence is not due to an intrinsic property of the T cell, but to the microenvironment created by the infection.     

Adjuvant effects of salidroside from Rhodiola rosea L. on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice

Salidroside, a major component of Rhodiola rosea L., was evaluated for its adjuvant effects on the immune responses in mice by ovalbumin (OVA) stimulation. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with OVA 100 μg or OVA 100 μg dissolved in saline containing alum (100 μg) or salidroside (12.5, 25, or 50 μg) on Days 1 and 15. Two weeks later (Day 28), blood samples were collected to analyze OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b antibodies. Meanwhile, splenocytes were harvested to assess lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ) production, and CD4⁺, CD8⁺ lymphocyte subsets. The results indicated that co-administration of salidroside with OVA significantly enhanced the ConA-, LPS-, and OVA-induced splenocyte proliferation, produced more IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, and IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b antibody levels, and increased the percentage of CD4⁺, CD8⁺ lymphocyte subsets than OVA alone. Thus, salidroside possess immunological adjuvant activity by regulating humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.     

Effects of adjuvants on the immune response to allergens in a murine model of allergen inhalation: cholera toxin induces a Th1-like response to Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen

Based on the fact that type I allergies are frequently elicited by inhalant allergens, we have established a model of aerosol inhalation leading to allergic sensitization in BALB/c mice. Using this model we studied the effects of aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)₃), known to enhance IgE antibody responses, compared with cholera toxin (CT), a potent mucosal adjuvant, on the immune response to birch pollen (BP) and its major allergen Bet v 1. Two groups of BALB/c mice were either systemically immunized with recombinant Bet v 1 in Al(OH)₃ and subsequently aerosol exposed to BP allergen, or aerosolized with BP and CT. IgE-mediated skin reactions were only elicited in the mice which had received Bet v1/Al(OH)₃. Allergen-specific serum IgE and IgG1 antibodies dominated in the Al(OH)₃ group, IgG2a antibody levels to BP and rBet v 1 were markedly higher in the sera of mice exposed to CT with the allergen. IgA antibodies were only detected in the bronchial lavage of the CT-treated group. Moreover, the latter group displayed consistently higher T cell proliferative responses to BP and interferon-gamma production in vitro. Thus, the systemic immunization with rBet v 1 in Al(OH)₃ before inhalation of the BP extract promoted a Th2-like immune response, while CT mixed with the aerosolized BP extract rather induced a Th1-like immune response. In an attempt to reverse these ongoing immune responses we could achieve a shift towards a Th0 response. Immunization with BP extract without adjuvant treatment led to undetectable antibody or cellular immune responses. We conclude from the present study that the induction of an immune response to BP allergen after aerosol inhalation can be directed towards a Th1- or a Th2-like response. Once established, the immune response can be modulated.     

Diversity in the contribution of interleukin-10 to T-cell-mediated immune regulation

Summary: Recent progress in our understanding of mechanisms by which the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) participates in an ever-increasing diversity of T-cell lineages to maintain immune homeostasis has broadened the framework for defining regulatory and effector T cells and has blurred the lines between them. In this review, we highlight established and emerging roles for IL-10 produced by distinct CD4⁺ T-cell lineages that underlie its non-redundant role in curbing immune responses to the intestinal microbiota at steady state and its role to limit T-cell-driven inflammation in responses to pathogens.     

The antibody response to HBs antigen is regulated by coordinated Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in healthy neonates

A proportion of healthy neonates fail to produce protective levels of anti-HBs antibody following vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. This study was undertaken to investigate contribution of Th1 and Th2 responses to anti-HBs antibody production and to explore the mechanism(s) of unresponsiveness to HBsAg in human neonates. Peripheral blood manonuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated form 28 nonresponder (anti-HBs antibody <10 IU/l) and 25 responder neonates. The cells were stimulated in vitro with recombinant HBsAg and PHA mitogen and concentrations of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were quantified in culture supernatants by sandwich ELISA. Our results demonstrated significantly increased production of all cytokines, including IL-4 (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.002) and IFN-gamma (P < 0.01) in responder compared to nonresponder vaccinees. No significant differences, however, were observed between the two groups of neonates in the levels of cytokines induced by PHA or secreted in absence of antigen and mitogen. Our findings suggest that unresponsiveness to recombinant HBsAg in healthy neonates is linked to inadequate secretion of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines.     

IL-4 expression delays eosinophil-independent vasculopathy and fibrosis during allograft rejection in the mouse

Transplant vasculopathy in the mouse is thought to be dependent on IL-4 and mediated by IL-5 and eosinophils, whereas in the rat and human systems, IL-4 is associated with the absence of transplant vasculopathy and down-regulation of a Th1-type response. In this study we tested the possibility that the apparent difference in the role of IL-4 in transplant vasculopathy is related to protocol differences rather than to the species being studied. Using a protocol that closely resembles that used in rat and human studies, we developed a model of transplant vasculopathy in the mouse that is associated with Th1-type cytokines and independent of IL-5 and eosinophil infiltration. In this model IL-4 promotes a significant delay in vasculopathy in the graft (P = 0.04) and a decrease in the incidence of allograft rejection (P = 0.02). The data suggest that the role of IL-4 in transplant vasculopathy can be controlled by the protocol used to treat the transplant recipient.