M-CSF、IL-10对单核细胞IL-12、IL-18产生及HLA-DR和CD80表达的影响

目的 :探讨巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (M CSF)和白细胞介素 10(IL 10 )对人外周血单核细胞分泌IL 12、IL 18及细胞表面HLA DR和CD80表达的影响。方法 :从健康献血员血液中分离单核细胞并进行体外培养 ,分别以M CSF和IL 10单独及共同作用 ,收集上清 ,用ELISA法检测单核细胞IL 12和IL 18的分泌 ,用流式细胞术检测细胞表面HLA DR及CD80的表达。结果 :①M CSF能诱导单核细胞分泌IL 18(P <0 .0 5 ) ;IL 10则能抑制IL 18的产生 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,并拮抗M CSF增强LPS诱生IL 18的作用 (P <0 .0 5 )。M CSF和IL 10均能抑制单核细胞分泌IL 12 p4 0 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,并具有协同效应 (P <0 .0 5 )。②M CSF能诱导单核细胞表面HLA DR的表达 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;IL 10则可抑制HLA DR的表达 ,并拮抗M CSF对HLA DR的诱导作用。M CSF对CD80表达的影响不大 ,IL 10能促进CD80的表达。结论 :M CSF和IL - 10可通过对单核细胞分泌IL 12、IL 18及HLA DR和CD80表达的调节 ,影响T细胞的活化、分化及其介导的免疫应答     

一株鼠抗人4-1BBL功能性单克隆抗体的研制及其生物学特性的研究

目的：鼠抗人4—1BBL功能性单克隆抗体的研制及其生物学特性的鉴定。方法：以高表达人4—1BBL分子的基因转染细胞L929／4—1BBL为免疫原，常规免疫BALB／c小鼠，采用B淋巴瘤杂交瘤技术进行细胞融合，经流式细胞术分析和多次克隆化培养，筛选特异性杂交瘤细胞株；采用Ig亚型快速定性试纸法、染色体核型分析、竞争结合抑制试验、间接免疫荧光法对单抗的生物学特性进行鉴定，并采用体外细胞计数和ELISA检测分析单抗对单核细胞的作用。结果：获得1株持续、稳定分泌鼠抗人4-1BBL单抗的杂交瘤细胞株，命名为3E7。该单抗能识别人白血病细胞株和单核细胞表面的4-1BBL分子。对单抗生物学功能的研究结果表明，该单抗能有效地促进外周血单核细胞体外生长，并促进IL-6和TNF-α的分泌。结论：成功地获得了一株鼠抗人4-1BBL功能性单克隆抗体3E7，该单抗能特异地识别人4-1BBL分子，并有效地通过激发4-1BBL逆向信号通路促进单核细胞的体外生长及细胞因子的分泌。     

M-CSF和IL-10对人单核细胞表面分子表达的影响

本文采用流式细胞术检测人外周血单核细胞表面CD14、CD2 3、CD6 4、CD11b、CD18、CD2 9表达 ,研究巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (M CSF )和白细胞介素 (IL ) 10对单核细胞炎症效应和免疫效应功能的影响。结果显示 ,(1)M CSF诱导单核细胞表面CD14及CD2 3分子的表达 (P <0 0 5 )。IL 10抑制CD2 3的表达 ,促进CD6 4的表达 ,并协同M CSF诱导单核细胞CD14的表达 ,拮抗M CSF对CD2 3的诱导作用。M CSF能协同IL 10对单核细胞CD6 4的诱导作用 ;(2 )M CSF能诱导单核细胞表面CD11b及CD18的表达 (P <0 0 5 )。结论 :M CSF通过促进单核细胞表面CD11b、CD18、CD14、CD2 3的表达及协同促进CD6 4的表达而促进单核细胞粘附、炎性渗出、IgG及IgE依赖的细胞杀伤和吞噬功能 ,促进单核 巨噬细胞在炎症反应、体液免疫应答效应阶段发挥效应细胞功能。IL 10通过促进CD6 4的表达 ,增强体液免疫应答效应阶段单核 巨噬细胞的免疫效应功能 ,但通过抑制CD2 3的表达 ,下调IgE介导的体液免疫效应。     

4-1BBL介导的逆向信号对人外周血T细胞体外活化的调节作用

目的探讨表达于活化T细胞上的4-1BBL分子对T细胞的调节作用及可能机制。方法鼠抗人4-1BBL单克隆抗体1F1加入CD3单抗联合CD28单抗激发的T细胞培养体系。细胞计数分析T细胞的增殖；PI／Annexin V双染法分析T细胞的凋亡；ELISA法测定培养上清中细胞因子的分泌水平；流式细胞仪分析T细胞的表型。结果单抗1F1能够有效地抑制活化T细胞的体外增殖并诱导其凋亡，同时单抗1F1还可抑制活化T细胞分泌IL-2和INN-7及上调T细胞表面CD95和PD-1分子的表达。结论在T细胞活化过程中，活化T细胞表达的4-1BBL分子通过逆向信号抑制其细胞因子的分泌和上调负性调控分子，进而抑制T细胞的过度活化和下调T细胞介导的免疫应答。     

三氧化二砷对急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞分泌细胞因子的影响与意义

为了探讨细胞因子在三氧化二砷诱发APL细胞白细胞升高的作用 ,首先按照FAB细胞形态学和细胞遗传学标准选择APL患者。常规Ficoll密度梯度法分离骨髓和PBMC ,体外培养 1h去除贴壁细胞。体外IL 1β、IL 6、IL 8、TNF α和G CSF分泌水平采用ELISA方法进行测定 ,NBT还原实验用以检测APL细胞分化状态。直接细胞计数法和MTT法观察细胞增殖变化。研究结果证实体外 10 6M或体内以 10mg/d三氧化二砷治疗 96h后 ,APL细胞分泌IL 1β和G CSF平均水平升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,IL 6和IL 8水平降低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,TNF α水平无明显变化 (P >0 0 5 )。进一步分析结果表明 ,体外APL细胞的增值比率与IL 1β或G CSF分泌升高比率呈现正相关 ,检测到IL 1β或G CSF患者的细胞数量增加比率高于未检测到IL 1β或G CSF组 ,说明IL 1β或G CSF分泌增加在三氧化二砷诱导后的APL细胞增殖中起着一定作用     

共刺激分子4-1BBL高表达与肿瘤免疫逃逸关系的研究

目的:观察高表达4-1BBL的HL-60细胞培养上清液对人淋巴细胞活化、增殖、IL-2分泌及凋亡诱导作用的影响;分析阻断4-1BB/4-1BBL信号对肿瘤细胞增殖、细胞因子分泌的影响,揭示肿瘤的免疫逃逸机制.方法:将不同浓度的HL-60肿瘤细胞培养上清液与体外分离的人淋巴细胞共培养,MTT法检测细胞增殖;流式细胞术检测免疫表型、细胞因子分泌及细胞凋亡;ELISA法检测IL-2分泌水平;用抗4-1BBL单抗作用后,观察对HL-60细胞增殖及细胞因子分泌的影响.结果:不同的肿瘤细胞株表面均有4-1BBL表达,但表达水平不同;HL-60细胞培养上清液对淋巴细胞活化没有明显影响(P＞0.05),但能明显抑制淋巴细胞增殖(P＜0.01)和IL-2分泌(P＜0.05),诱导淋巴细胞凋亡(P＜0.05).抗4-1BBL单抗能抑制HL-60细胞增殖和TGF-β的分泌(P＜0.05).结论:HL-60细胞高表达4-1BBL具有反向调节作用,可通过促进肿瘤细胞增殖及TGF-β分泌等抑制淋巴细胞功能,从而使之逃避宿主的免疫监视.     

重组人可溶性CD40配体对树突状细胞体外分化、成熟及功能的影响

用Ficoll密度离心及贴壁法获得外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC ) ,PBMC经细胞因子组合诱导分化成树突状细胞 (DC ) :GM CSF (10 0ng/ml)与IL 4 (5 0ng/ml)诱导 5d后 ,分别加入TNF α (10ng/ml)或rhsCD4 0L (2 μg/ml)继续培养 4d ;倒置显微镜下观察DC形态 ,免疫荧光标记和流式细胞术分析DC表型 (CD1a、CD80、CD83、HLA DR、CD14、CD16、CD19)及摄取FITC Dextran抗原的能力 ;3 H TdR掺入法检测DC刺激自体混合淋巴细胞体外增殖反应 (MLR )能力 ;ELISA法分析DC培养上清中IL 12的水平 ;Trans well细胞趋化实验检测DC对自体外周T淋巴细胞的趋化能力。发现经rhsCD4 0L刺激的DC表面分子 (CD1a、CD80、CD83、HLA DR )的表达水平高于经典的细胞因子组合组 (GM CSF +IL 4 +TNF α ) ,同时rhsCD4 0L刺激后的DC摄取FITC Dextran的能力下降而刺激自体MLR和分泌IL 12的能力明显提高 ;而且rhsCD4 0L诱导的DC表面趋化因子受体CXCR4的表达水平及对自体外周T淋巴细胞的趋化能力均强于TNF α或FL激发的DC。rhsCD4 0L在体外不仅具有显著的诱导DC分化 ,促进DC成熟的功能 ,而且经rhsCD4 0L作用的DC能更有效地激发T淋巴细胞     

HBsAg体外冲击的慢性乙肝患者树突状细胞的生物学特性及其对HBV特异性CTL的诱导作用

目的 :研究HBsAg冲击的慢性乙肝患者单核细胞来源的树突状细胞 (DCs)的功能状况及体外对HBV特异性CTL的诱导作用 ,初步探讨诱导特异性抗HBV细胞免疫的途径。方法 :分离慢性乙肝患者外周血单核细胞 ,以GM CSF +IL 4 +TNF α培养诱导DCs,加入HBsAg冲击以诱导HBV特异性DCs。采用FCM测定细胞表面免疫分子CD1a、CD83、CD86、CD80、CD4 0以及HLA DR的表达水平 ,ELISA法检测培养上清中细胞因子IL 6、IL 12的分泌含量 ,MTT法测定DC刺激同种异体淋巴细胞增殖的能力 ,LDH法检测DC诱导的患者外周血T细胞对HepG2 2 2 15 (转染HBVDNA)、HepG2肝癌细胞株及K5 6 2白血病细胞株的细胞毒作用。结果 :HBsAg冲击的DC其表达CD1a、CD83、CD86、CD80、CD4 0、HLA DR表面分子明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 5 ) ,分泌IL 12的水平也高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,而分泌IL 6的水平则较对照组显著降低(P <0 0 1) ;HBsAg冲击的DC刺激同种异体淋巴细胞增殖的能力明显增强 (P <0 0 5 ) ,并可有效地诱导自体CTL对转HBV基因的HepG2 2 2 15细胞高效特异性杀伤作用 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :慢性乙型肝炎患者单核细胞来源的DCs经HBsAg抗原冲击后 ,生物学活性增强 ,并且能有效地诱导对HBV特异性反应的CTL。     

共刺激分子4-1BBL和B7-1对人T淋巴细胞的协同激发作用

目的 :探讨 4 1BBL和B7 1这 2种共刺激分子在人外周血T淋巴细胞活化、增殖中的作用和机制。方法 :采用免疫磁珠阴性选择方法分离纯化人外周血T淋巴细胞 ;单向混合淋巴细胞反应 (MLR)分析共刺激分子对T细胞的激发作用 ;3H TdR掺入法测定细胞增殖 ;免疫荧光标记和流式细胞仪表型分析 ;ELISA检测细胞因子。结果 :经免疫磁珠阴性选择分离获外周血单个核细胞中的T细胞纯度 >90 %;人多发性骨髓瘤细胞株 (XG细胞 )转染 4 1BBL和B7 1cDNA后 ,细胞膜表面能稳定高表达这 2个分子 ,4 1BBL和B7 1转基因细胞也均能使同种异体T细胞发生活化、增殖、存活时间延长和介导细胞因子IL 2的分泌 ,且 2种共刺激分子具有一定的协同效应。结论 :4 1BBL和B7 1分子具有赋予XG细胞对T细胞的体外激发、促增殖和分泌IL 2的作用 ,4 1BBL和B7 1分子能产生协同效应。     

五加皮抗肿瘤活性物质Age对单核细胞产生TNF-α和IL-12的影响

目的 :研究五加皮抗肿瘤成分Age对单核细胞功能的影响 ,揭示Age抗肿瘤机制。方法 :使用对TNF敏感的L92 9细胞采用生物法测定了TNF含量 ,用ELISA法测定了IL 12的含量。用RT PCR法分析了单核细胞的细胞因子mRNA表达。用同位素法分析了Age对单核细胞吞噬功能的作用。结果 :Age与单核细胞共同培养后 ,单核细胞TNF α、IL 12等细胞因子的产生明显增加 (P <0 0 1) ,而且有较好的量效关系。在单核细胞与LPS的培养液中加入不同浓度的Age ,经培养后与单独加入LPS相比TNF α分泌的量显著增加 ,显示了Age对LPS的单核细胞刺激有相加作用。经Age处理后 ,单核细胞的TNF α、IL 12等细胞因子的mRNA表达也明显增强。体内实验结果也显示 ,Age对单核细胞的细胞因子产生有一定的影响。荷瘤小鼠经口连续投入Age后 ,血清中和脾脏分离的单核细胞体外培养上清中TNF α和IL 12含量明显提高 ,单核细胞TNF α、IL 12mR NA表达也明显增强 (P <0 0 1) ,从蛋白水平和分子水平证明了Age对单核细胞的细胞因子产生有促进作用。结论 :中药五加皮抗肿瘤有效成分Age对单核细胞有较强的刺激作用。通过促进其细胞因子的分泌和吞噬功能的增强杀伤肿瘤或抵抗肿瘤发生 ,所分泌的细胞因子还可通过调节免疫功能达到治疗肿瘤作用。该结果对五加皮     

Proliferative response of human CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulated by the lectin jacalin

The Galβ(1–3)GalNAc-binding lectin jacalin is known to specifically induce the proliferation of human CD4⁺ T lymphocytes in the presence of autologous monocytes and to interact with the CD4 molecule and block HIV-1 infection of CD4⁺ cells. We further show that jacalin-induced proliferation is characterized by an unusual pattern of T cell activation and cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). A cognate interaction between T cells and monocytes was critical for jacalin-induced proliferation, and human recombinant interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 did not replace the co-stimulatory activity of monocytes. Blocking studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) point out the possible importance of two molecular pathways of interaction, the CD2/LFA-3 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathways. One out of two anti-CD4 mAb abolished jacalin responsiveness. Jacalin induced interferon-γ and high IL-6 secretion, mostly by monocytes, and no detectable IL-2 synthesis or secretion by PBMC. In contrast, jacalin-stimulated Jurkat T cells secreted IL-2. CD3^? Jurkat cell variants failed to secrete IL-2, suggesting the involvement of the T cell receptor/CD3 complex pathway in jacalin signaling. IL-2 secretion by CD4^? Jurkat variant cells was delayed and lowered. In addition to CD4, jacalin interacts with the CD5 molecule. Jacalin-CD4 interaction and the proliferation of PBMC, as well as IL-2 secretion by Jurkat cells were inhibited by specific jacalin-competitive sugars.     

Cyclosporin A inhibition of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) production by activated human T lymphocytes

M-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. M-CSF is produced by numerous cells including CD3-activated T cells. M-CSF serum levels are increased during acute graft rejection. We tested the in vitro production of M-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-2, and IL-4 by T-cell clones costimulated by CD3 and accessory activation pathways and the effects of cyclosporin A and methylprednisolone. The nine clones studied and CD4+ cells purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) spontaneously produced low levels of M-CSF, which PMA and CD3 mAb strongly enhanced. In contrast to IL-2, CD28 mAb did not further enhance this production. CsA inhibited M-CSF production by clones and purified CD4 T cells. Addition of IL-2, anti IL-2, or anti CD25 mAb to the cultures demonstrated that CsA down-regulated M-CSF synthesis by activated T cells through its inhibition of IL-2 synthesis. These results could help to better understand the complex mechanisms of acute graft rejection and immunosuppression.     

协同刺激分子4-1BB和CD28对人外周血不同T细胞亚群的激活作用

目的 :探讨 4 1BB/ 4 1BBL协同刺激信号在CD4 和CD8 T细胞活化、增殖中的作用 ,并与CD2 8/B7信号作比较。方法 :用抗CD3单抗 (mAb)刺激人外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC)。用阻断型抗 4 1BBLmAb和抗CD80mAb ,分别阻断 4 1BB/ 4 1BBL和CD2 8/B7 1协同刺激信号。利用流式细胞术 (FCM)检测CD4 T细胞、CD8 T细胞的增殖率、CD8/CD4T细胞的比值变化和细胞分泌IFN γ的情况。结果 :用抗 4 1BBLmAb和抗CD80mAb阻断相应的协同刺激途径后 ,CD4 和CD8 T细胞的增殖和细胞分泌IFN γ的水平均明显下降。培养 8d,抗CD3mAb单独刺激组CD8/CD4T细胞的比值为 1.98± 0 .0 6 ;抗 4 1BBLmAb阻断组CD8/CD4T细胞的比值下降为 0 .96±0 .0 3;而在抗CD80mAb阻断组 ,其比值上升为 2 .6 9± 0 .16。结论 :4 1BB分子可在CD4 T细胞和CD8 T细胞的活化、增殖中提供协同刺激信号。 4 1BB分子所介导的协同刺激信号 ,在CD8 T细胞活化及增殖中发挥了更为重要的作用 ;而CD2 8分子所介导的协同刺激信号则更有利于CD4 T细胞的活化     

CD38 ligation induces discrete cytokine mRNA expression in human cultured lymphocytes

Human CD38 is a surface glycoprotein expressed by different immuno-competent cells such as immature and activated lymphocytes, plasma cells and natural killer cells. It has recently been reported that the CD38 molecule exerts adenosine diphosphate ribosyl cyclase activity and is associated with distinct transmembrane signaling molecules. This study reports that ligation of CD38 by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) induces multiple cytokine mRNA expression in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-12 were always detected, whereas interferon-γ and IL-10 mRNA expression were seen in most, but not all PBMC cultures. Low levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were also found. The key observation of this work is that CD38 ligation in PBMC induces a large spectrum of cytokines, many of which overlap with those induced via CD3 activation. The main differences between CD38 and CD3 activation are the low to undetectable levels of IL-2 mRNA, and the sustained IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA accumulation found in PBMC cultures following treatment with anti-CD38 mAb. Furthermore, PBMC proliferation was not found to be a prerequisite for CD38-mediated cytokine induction. Together, these results suggest that human CD38 activates a signaling pathway which leads to the induction of a discrete array of cytokines, and that this pathway only partially overlaps with that controlled by T cell receptor CD3.     

Co-stimulation of antigen-specific CD4 T cells by 4-1BB ligand

4-1BB is a member of the TNF receptor family predominantly expressed on activated T cells, and binds an inducible ligand found on B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Whereas ligation of 4-1BB has been shown to enhance response of purified CD8 T cells to mitogens, and to augment NK activity and generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo, there are little direct data on 4-1BB action during CD4 responses. Using pigeon cytochrome c-presenting fibroblast antigen-presenting cells transfected with 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL), we show that engaging 4-1BB on naive CD4 cells promotes proliferation, cell cycle progression and IL-2 secretion, and suppresses cell death, all to a similar extent as B7-1 engagement of CD28. In addition, 4-1BBL synergizes with B7 and ICAM to enhance naive CD4 proliferation when antigen is limiting. 4-1BBL alone, and to a greater extent with B7, also augmented IL-2 secretion resting antigen-experienced CD4 cells, as typified by T helper clones, whereas short-term effector cells showed similar levels of proliferation and cytokine secretion regardless of whether 4-1BB was engaged. A major role in augmenting IFN-gamma, IL-4 or IL-5 was not demonstrated. Blocking studies with activated B cells presenting antigen showed that 4-1BB participates in promoting IL-2 production by resting CD4 cells, confirming that 4-1BBL can play a role in antigen-specific CD4 T cell responses.     

Engagement of IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) with the monoclonal antibody AY19 provides co-activating signals and prolongs the CD2-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes

IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) is the second subunit required to form a functional receptor complex for IL-1α and β, IL-1F6, IL-1F8, IL1-F9 and IL-33. While it does not directly interact with the cytokines, IL-1RAcP is necessary to mediate signal transduction. We previously reported a monoclonal antibody with an unknown specificity, termed AY19, that was capable to induce a significant increase in the size of CFU-GM colonies when added to cultures of human cord blood CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors. Here we demonstrate that AY19 mAb recognizes IL1-RAcP. We show that this adaptor molecule is significantly present on peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes including CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes, B and NK cells. Interestingly, its expression is found increased on CD127(low)CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells when compared to CD127(low)CD4(+)CD25(-) T cell subset, suggesting that the level of IL-1RAcP membrane expression could allow to distinguish within CD127(low)CD4(+) T lymphocytes the CD25(high) T regulatory subset from conventional CD25(-) T lymphocytes. Functional studies reveal that addition of AY19 mAb enhances the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained with mitogenic concentrations of PMA. Interestingly, we found that although AY19 mAb does not increase the optimal PBMC proliferation induced by a mitogenic pair of anti-CD2 mAbs it prolongs their time of proliferation. Thus, these results indicate that the anti-IL-1RAcP mAb AY19 exhibits unique functional properties by triggering co-stimulatory signals in lymphocytes.     

Dysregulated production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 by peripheral blood lymphocytes from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals is associated with altered proliferative responses to recall antigens.

The loss of immune function following infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may result from altered production of immunoregulatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12. In this study, we analyzed IL-10 and IL-12 production by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV+ individuals and correlated their levels with proliferative responses to the recall antigens HIV p25 and influenza virus. We report two distinct groups of HIV+ patients. One group produced small amounts of IL-10, had PBMC that proliferated in response to recall antigens, and demonstrated enhanced recall antigen-induced proliferation upon addition of anti-IL-10 antibodies and/or IL-12. Conversely, the second group produced high levels of IL-10, had PBMC that failed to proliferate to recall antigens, and did not demonstrate enhanced proliferation upon addition of anti-IL-10 antibodies and/or IL-12. Mitogen-stimulated PBMC from both groups produced significantly lower levels of IL-12 than did those from HIV- controls. Analysis of the source of the IL-10-producing cell subset in PBMC demonstrated that in HIV+ individuals, IL-10 is produced by monocytes, while in HIV- controls, it is produced by both T cells and monocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that monocytes from HIV+ individuals secrete decreased amounts of IL-12, a Th1-type cytokine, which may lead to the development of Th2-type responses characterized by high IL-10 secretion and immune dysfunction.     

Selective restimulation of antigen or allergen preactivated T cells using OKT3 F(ab)2 results in the secretion of TH-1 or TH-2-like cytokine patterns

Background The synthesis of IgE is regulated by cytokines secreted from T-helper cells. The studies on cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) upon stimulation with antigen or allergen are ditficult due to low levels of cytokines, especially of inlerieukin-4 (IL-4).
Objective ln this study we tried lo establish a culture system, which could enable the measurement of the cytokine profiles in specifically activated cultures.
Methods Three methods to potentiate cytokine secretion were evaluated: PBMC from bee venom or house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergic patients as well as normal subjects were stimulated either with the major bee venom allergen phosphoiipase A2 (PLA) or with the major D. pteronyssinus allergen (Der p 1) or with the control antigens tetanus toxoid (TT) and purified protein derivate (PPD). After 7 days of culture the cells were restimulated either wilh pkistie bound 0KT3 F(ab)2 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), with the appropriate antigen + antigen presenting cells or with IL-2. The secretion of cylokines (IL-4, IFNγ) was measured after restimulation of the cultures (day 8).
Results While OKT3 F(ab)2 was unable lo activate resting T cells, it could restimulate preactivaled cells. Restimulalion with OKT3 F(ab)2 induced higher IL-4 and IFN7 secretion than restimulation with IL-2 or antigen. TT and PLA stimulated a similar cytokine secretion prolile in normal and PLA allergic subjects with substantial levels of both lL-4 and IFNγ. In contrast, PPD induced virtually only IFNγ secretion. Der p 1 stimulated mainly IL-4 seerclion but also IFNγ production in some mite allergic palienis.
Conclusion We have established a cell culture system, which combines antigen specificity with a strong cytokine inducing signial provided by anti-CD3 MoAbs. TH-1 and TH-2 characteristic cytokine patterns can be observed in short-term PBMC cultures already after 8 days of culture.     

Expression and function of 4-1BB and 4-1BB ligand on murine dendritic cells

4-1BB (CDw137) and its ligand (4-1BBL) have been implicated in cellular immune responses. To further characterize the expression and function of 4-1BBL, we newly generated an anti-mouse 4-1BBL mAb (TKS-1), which can inhibit the interaction of 4-1BBL with 4-1BB. Flow cytometric analyses using TKS-1 and an anti-mouse 4-1BB mAb indicated that 4-1BB was inducible on both CD4(+) and CD8(+) splenic T cells by stimulation with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb, but 4-1BBL was not expressed on resting or activated T cells. 4-1BBL expression was inducible on splenic B cells by stimulation with anti-IgM antibody plus anti-CD40 mAb, on peritoneal macrophages by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and on splenic dendritic cells (DC) by stimulation with anti-CD40 mAb or LPS. Interestingly, splenic DC expressed 4-1BB constitutively, which was down-regulated by anti-CD40 stimulation. Co-culture of splenic DC with 4-1BBL-transfected cells or 4-1BBL-expressing tumor cell lines led to cytokine (IL-6 and IL-12) production and co-stimulatory molecule up-regulation by splenic DC, indicating that 4-1BBL can directly activate DC. Moreover, IL-12 production by anti-CD40-stimulated DC was partially inhibited by TKS-1. These results suggest that 4-1BB expressed on DC may be involved in DC activation through DC--tumor interaction and DC--DC interaction.