Premium
Role of T‐helper type 2 cytokines in down‐modulation of Fas mRNA and receptor on the surface of activated CD4 + T cells: molecular basis for the persistence of the allergic immune response
Author(s) -
Spinozzi Fabrizio,
Agea Elisabetta,
Fizzotti Marco,
Bassotti Gabrio,
Russano Anna,
Droetto Sara,
Bistoni Onelia,
Grignani Fausto,
Bertotto Alberto
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.12.15.1747
Subject(s) - fas ligand , receptor , fas receptor , apoptosis , immunology , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , allergic inflammation , inflammation , chemistry , programmed cell death , biochemistry
The mechanisms responsible for persistence of T lymphocytes at the sites of allergic inflammation are not completely understood. Activated T cells, usually expressing Fas on their surface, undergo activation‐induced apoptotic death, thus limiting the dangerous consequences of a persistent immune reaction. We have previously shown that pulmonary T lymphocytes from untreated asthmatic subjects do not express surface Fas receptors nor do they contain Fas mRNA, yet they display normal levels of Fas ligand. This is not an inherited defect and is confined to mucosal T cells. To gain insights into the mechanism responsible for these findings, we performed a set of experiments with both purified Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen and recombinant human cytokines: interleukin 2 (IL‐2), IL‐4, IL‐5, transforming growth factor β 1 , interferon γ, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). In vitro exposure of purified CD4 + lymphocytes to allergen yielded only transient up‐regulation of surface Fas but did not influence susceptibility to Fas‐mediated cell death. T‐helper type 2 cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐5, and GM‐CSF) had a dose‐dependent and specific inhibitory effect on Fas mRNA, suggesting a new fundamental biological role in the survival of inflammatory cells during allergen exposure.—Spinozzi, F., Agea, E., Fizzotti, M., Bassotti, G., Russano, A., Droetto, S., Bistoni, O., Grignani, F., Bertotto, A. Role of T‐helper type 2 cytokines in down‐modulation of Fas mRNA and receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T cells: molecular basis for the persistence of the allergic immune response. FASEB J. 12, 1747–1753 (1998)