Biomedical subjects

Michel Goldman

Publications and source records attributed to Michel Goldman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Human IL-12(p35) gene activation involves selective remodeling of a single nucleosome within a region of the promoter containing critical Sp1-binding sites.

To get insight into the regulation of human interleukin-12 (IL-12) synthesis, we determined the chromatin organization of the IL-12(p35) promoter region. First, we determined positioning of nucleosomes within the IL-12(p35) promoter using the indirect end-labeling technique in the THP-1 monocytic cell line. On stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), hypersensitivity to digestion with DNase I, micrococcal nuclease, and specific restriction enzymes was detected in the region encompassing nucleotide (nt) -310 to -160, indicating selective inducible chromatin remodeling involving disruption of a single nucleosome (named nuc-2). Using p35 promoter deletion mutants and reporter gene assays, we demonstrated that the -396/-241 region contained critical cis-acting elements. Within this latter region, we characterized physically and functionally 2 Sp1-binding sites, which were acting as key regulatory elements for both basal and LPS/IFN-gamma-inducible p35 gene expression: Sp1#1 lies within the remodeled nuc-2 region and Sp1#2 is located in the nucleosome-free region immediately upstream of nuc-2. Finally, we extended the chromatin structure analysis to dendritic cells (DCs) derived from human monocytes and observed the same nucleosomal organization and remodeling as in the THP-1 cell line. Moreover, we found that in DCs, LPS and IFN-gamma synergized in the induction of nucleosomal remodeling and that chromatin remodeling at the p35 locus immediately preceded IL-12(p35) mRNA synthesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that IL-12(p35) gene activation in the course of DC maturation involves selective and rapid remodeling of a single positioned nucleosome within a region of the promoter containing critical Sp1-binding sites.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2003

111In-oxine and 99mTc-HMPAO labelling of antigen-loaded dendritic cells: in vivo imaging and influence on motility and actin content.

In cancer vaccination trials, antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) are usually injected intradermally and are expected to rapidly move to a regional lymph node where antigen presentation should occur. In this study we investigated the influence of indium-111 oxine (111In) and technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) labelling on the motility and actin content of antigen-loaded DCs in parallel with in vivo migration in humans. Human autologous monocyte-derived DCs loaded with a tumour antigen were labelled with 111In (0.11, 0.37 or 0.74 MBq/10(7) DCs) or 99mTc-HMPAO (18.5 or 185 MBq/10(7) DCs). 111In labelling was much more stable than 99mTc-HMPAO labelling. Quantitative videomicroscopy showed that the mean distance of displacement of DCs increased in accordance with the 111In activity used for labelling. Monomeric (G) and filamentous (F) actin content of DCs evaluated by quantitative immunofluorescence demonstrated that the ratio of filamentous to globular actin content in labelled DCs increased significantly in accordance with the activity used for labelling with both tracers. Twelve patients enrolled in a phase I/II vaccination trial received injections of 10(7) antigen-loaded DCs labelled with either 0.74 MBq of 111In (group A, n=6/12) or 18.5 MBq of 99mTc-HMPAO (group B, n=6/12) in the proximal part of the legs, one intradermally on one side, one subcutaneously on the opposite side. In three of the six patients of each group, antigen-loaded DCs were incubated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) just before the labelling, in order to initiate the maturation process (subgroup MPL+). Only one MPL+ patient of group A exhibited faint focal uptake in the inguinal region on the late images. Group B presented a more complex pattern of radioactivity distribution (early bladder activity without brain uptake) indicating that 99mTc-HMPAO is not a suitable radiopharmaceutical for labelling of loaded DCs. The activity cleared from DCs as a labelled molecule different from the lipophilic 99mTc-HMPAO. Only one of the six patients had nodular inguinal uptake on the intradermally injected side (DCs not incubated with MPL). In conclusion, the present study did not demonstrate migration of loaded labelled DCs from intradermal or subcutaneous sites of injection to regional lymph nodes. This provides an indication that a large proportion of antigen-loaded DCs, as used in current human trials for cancer therapy, may not reach regional lymph nodes.

Actins↗

PubMed2003

Impaired responses to toll-like receptor 4 and toll-like receptor 3 ligands in human cord blood.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling pathway plays an essential role in host defense against gram-negative bacteria while TLR-3-mediated signaling is critically involved in anti-viral immunity. To gain insight into the defects responsible for impaired Th1 responses in human newborns, we investigated the responses of human cord blood cells to lipopolysaccharide, LPS, and to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, Poly (I:C), ligands of TLR-4 and TLR-3, respectively. Measurement of cytokine levels revealed a profound defect in IL-12 (p70) synthesis and an increased release of IL-10 in cord blood exposed to LPS or Poly (I:C), as compared to adult blood. Moreover, Poly (I:C)-induced IFN-alpha production was found to be significantly impaired in cord blood. Phenotypic maturation of myeloid DC in response to LPS or Poly (I:C) was next compared in cord and adult blood. We observed that neonatal myeloid DC displayed decreased upregulation of CD40, CD80 whereas CD86 and HLA-DR upregulation did not differ significantly between adults and neonates. Taken together, these findings might be relevant to the increased vulnerability of human newborns to intracellular pathogens and to their inability to develop efficient Th1-type responses.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Free cationic liposomes inhibit the inflammatory response to cationic lipid-DNA complex injected intravenously and enhance its transfection efficiency.

In this report, we show that intravenous (i.v.) injection into mice of a complex made of the cationic lipid diC14-amidine and the luciferase reporter plasmid (pCMV-luc) results in efficient gene expression in several organs but elicits an inflammatory response characterized by a release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) into the serum of treated animals. A single preinjection of free diC14-amidine liposomes improves the i.v. transfection efficiency of the diC14-amidine/protamine/pCMV-luc complex as much as 40 times. This improvement is correlated with the ability of free liposomes to inhibit TNF-alpha but not IFN-gamma production resulting from complex injection. TNF-alpha-rich serum obtained from mice injected with diC14-amidine/protamine/pCMV-luc complex inhibits luciferase expression in transfected mouse lung endothelial (MLE) cells cultured in vitro, whereas IFN-gamma has no effect. This inhibitory effect can be partly abolished by treating the mouse serum with a specific anti-TNF-alpha antibody. These data point out that cationic lipids are potent inhibitors of the inflammatory response to the CpG motifs in plasmid DNA. This property is shown to enhance the in vivo transfection efficiency.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Non-classical pathways of cell-mediated allograft rejection: new challenges for tolerance induction?

Allograft rejection results from separate pathways primarily controlled by CD4+ T cells. Refinement of transplantation models together with investigations on rejection occurring despite co-stimulation blockade revealed unexpected pathways involving CD8+ T cells, NK cells and Th2 cytokines. In this minireview, we discuss these non-classical pathways of allograft rejection and their relevance for the induction of tolerance in the clinics.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Alteration of migration and maturation of dendritic cells and T-cell depletion in the course of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, induces infection that affects most immunocompetent cells. However, its effect on dendritic cells (DC) is still unknown in vivo. In this report, we show, by immunohistochemical staining, that T. cruzi infection triggers a huge increase in the number of CD11c(+) DC in the spleen of infected mice at Days 14 and 21 post-inoculation (pi). In mice reaching the chronic phase (starting on Day 35 pi), the number of splenic DC (sDC) returned progressively to normal (ending on Day 98 pi). In the spleens of noninfected mice, most of the CD8alpha(+)CD11c(+) and CD8alpha(-)CD11c(+) DC were found in the red pulp and the marginal and T-cell zones. However, starting on Day 14 pi, a progressive decline of CD8alpha(+)CD11c(+) was observed. In addition, sDC expressed low levels of the costimulatory molecule B7.2 at Days 14 and 21 pi, suggesting that they remained immature in the course of the infection. As expected, in lipopolysaccharide-treated and noninfected mice, the expression of B7.2 molecules was sharply up-regulated on sDC that migrated toward the T-cell zone. In contrast, upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation, sDC from T. cruzi-infected mice did not migrate toward the T-cell zone nor did they undergo maturation. Finally, white pulp was severely depleted in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells at the peak of infection. Taken together, these results indicate that profound alterations of migration and maturation of sDC and depletion/redistribution of T cells occur during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection and could be part of another strategy to escape immune surveillance and to persist in the host.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Dendritic cells overexpressing CD95 (Fas) ligand elicit vigorous allospecific T-cell responses in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DCs) genetically engineered to overexpress CD95 (Fas) ligand (CD95L-DC) were proposed as tools to induce peripheral tolerance to alloantigens. Herein, we observed that CD95L-DC obtained after retroviral gene transfer in bone marrow (BM) precursors derived from CD95-deficient (lpr/lpr) mice elicit much stronger allospecific type 1 helper T-cell and cytotoxic T-cell activities than control DCs upon injection in vivo, although they induce lower T-cell responses in vitro. Indeed, a single injection of CD95L-DC prepared from C57BL/6 mice was sufficient to prime bm13 recipients for acute rejection of C57BL/6 skin allografts that were otherwise tolerated in the context of this single weak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I incompatibility. Massive neutrophil infiltrates depending on interleukin (IL)-1 signaling were observed at sites of CD95L-DC injection. Experiments in IL-1 receptor-deficient mice or in animals injected with depleting anti-Gr1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) established that neutrophil recruitment is required for the development of vigorous T-cell responses after injection of CD95L-DC in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Increased production of interleukin-10 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist after extracorporeal photochemotherapy in chronic graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of action of extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) in graft-versus-host disease are incompletely understood. It has been proposed that phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies by monocytes and macrophages induces their activation, a process that increases production of immunosuppressive cytokines. We analyzed apoptosis and cytokine secretion in an autologous coculture system combining peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained after ex vivo ECP treatment and nonirradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). METHODS: We studied 11 leukapheresis products treated by ECP from six patients with resistant limited or extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. Purified PBL obtained by monocyte depletion of the buffy coat from leukapheresis products were mixed with nonirradiated PBMC. Nonirradiated PBL were used as control. Cytokine production was tested at the mRNA level by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-12p40. RESULTS: Morphologic analysis and flow cytometry displayed important lymphocyte apoptotic features culminating at 24 to 48 hr. Coculture of patient's PBMC with ultraviolet-irradiated PBL as compared with nonirradiated PBL resulted in significant increase of IL-10 mRNA (3418+/-1015 versus 10596+/-3402 mRNA copy numbers; P=0.001) and IL-1Ra mRNA (23890+/-6166 versus 41767+/-10181 mRNA copy numbers; P=0.001). Incubation with a neutralizing anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody resulted in a marked decrease of IL-1Ra mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with the fact that ECP modifies patient's autologous lymphocytes by inducing a process of apoptosis that activates monocytes and macrophages, leading to increased synthesis of IL-10 and IL-1Ra mRNAs. The induction of this latter mediator is dependent on IL-10.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2002

Extracellular adenine nucleotides inhibit the activation of human CD4+ T lymphocytes.

ATP has been reported to inhibit or stimulate lymphoid cell proliferation, depending on the origin of the cells. Agents that increase cAMP, such as PGE(2), inhibit human CD4(+) T cell activation. We demonstrate that several ATP derivatives increase cAMP in both freshly purified and activated human peripheral blood CD4(+) T cells. The rank order of potency of the various nucleotides was: adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATPgammaS) approximately 2'- and 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl) ATP (BzATP) > ATP > 2-methylthio-ATP >> dATP, 2-propylthio-beta,gamma-dichloromethylene-D-ATP, UDP, UTP. This effect did not involve the activation of A(2)Rs by adenosine or the synthesis of prostaglandins. ATPgammaS had no effect on cytosolic calcium, whereas BzATP induced an influx of extracellular calcium. ATPgammaS and BzATP inhibited secretion of IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-gamma; expression of CD25; and proliferation after activation of CD4(+) T cells by immobilized anti-CD3 and soluble anti-CD28 Abs, without increasing cell death. Taken together, our results suggest that extracellular adenine nucleotides inhibit CD4(+) T cell activation via an increase in cAMP mediated by an unidentified P2YR, which might thus constitute a new therapeutic target in immunosuppressive treatments.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2002

Skin graft rejection elicited by beta 2-microglobulin as a minor transplantation antigen involves multiple effector pathways: role of Fas-Fas ligand interactions and Th2-dependent graft eosinophil infiltrates.

Beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m)-derived peptides are minor transplantation Ags in mice as beta(2)m-positive skin grafts (beta(2)m(+/+)) are rejected by genetically beta(2)m-deficient recipient mice (beta(2)m(-/-)). We studied the effector pathways responsible for the rejection induced by beta(2)-microglobulin-derived minor transplantation Ags. The rejection of beta(2)m(+/+) skin grafts by naive beta(2)m(-/-) mice was dependent on both CD4 and CD8 T cells as shown by administration of depleting mAbs. Experiments performed with beta(2)m(-/-)CD8(-/-) double knockout mice grafted with a beta(2)m(+/+) MHC class I-deficient skin showed that sensitized CD4 T cells directed at beta(2)m peptides-MHC class II complexes are sufficient to trigger rapid rejection. Rejection of beta(2)m(+/+) grafts was associated with the production of IL-5 in vitro, the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNAs in the grafted tissue, and the presence within rejected grafts of a considerable eosinophil infiltrate. Blocking IL-4 and IL-5 in vivo and depleting eosinophils with an anti-CCR3 mAb prevented graft eosinophil infiltration and prolonged beta(2)m(+/+) skin graft survival. Lymphocytes from rejecting beta(2)m(-/-) mice also displayed an increased production of IFN-gamma after culture with beta(2)m(+/+) minor alloantigens. In vivo neutralization of IFN-gamma inhibited skin graft rejection. Finally, beta(2)m(+/+) skin grafts harvested from B6(lpr/lpr) donor mice, which lack a functional Fas molecule, survived longer than wild-type beta(2)m(+/+) skin grafts, showing that Fas-Fas ligand interactions are involved in the rejection process. We conclude that IL-4- and IL-5-dependent eosinophilic rejection, IFN-gamma-dependent mechanisms, and Fas-Fas ligand interactions are effector pathways in the acute rejection of minor transplantation Ags.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Multiple pathways to allograft rejection.

Allograft rejection results from a complex process involving both the innate and acquired immune systems. The innate immune system predominates in the early phase of the allogeneic response, during which chemokines and cell adhesion play essential roles, not only for leukocyte migration into the graft but also for facilitating dendritic and T-cell trafficking between lymph nodes and the transplant. This results in a specific and acquired alloimmune response mediated by T cells. Subsequently, T cells and cells from innate immune system function synergistically to reject the allograft through nonexclusive pathways, including contact-dependent T cell cytotoxicity, granulocyte activation by either Th1 or Th2 derived cytokines, NK cell activation, alloantibody production, and complement activation. Blockade of individual pathways generally does not prevent allograft rejection, and long-term allograft survival is achieved only after simultaneous blockade of several of them. In this review, we explore each of these pathways and discuss the experimental evidence highlighting their roles in allograft rejection.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Analysis of spontaneous mRNA cytokine production in peripheral blood.

The quantification of the cytokine mRNAs synthesised by peripheral blood cells should make it possible to estimate a "peripheral immune statute". However, an accurate quantification can only be performed from a fresh whole blood sample in which mRNA is protected against nuclease digestion, and where gene transcription is inhibited. As discussed in this note, this has been made possible by the use of surfactant reagents such as tetradecyltrimethylammonium oxalate. We performed RT-PCR for the quantification of IL-10 and IFN-gamma mRNAs spontaneously produced in peripheral blood. The results showed pronounced higher IFN-gamma transcript levels in whole blood compared to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the same individuals, while no significant difference was observed for IL-10 mRNA. The higher amounts of IFN-gamma mRNA observed in blood can be attributed at least to mRNA degradation. Using a real time PCR technique, we indeed demonstrated that blood IFN-gamma mRNA is rapidly degraded in vitro, the t 1/2 being worth approximately one hour at room temperature.

Cytokines↗

PubMed2002

Interleukin-3 and interferon beta cooperate to induce differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells with potent helper T-cell stimulatory properties.

It was observed that interferon beta (IFN-beta) prevents the down-regulation of the interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3Ralpha), which spontaneously occurs during culture of human monocytes. The functionality of IL-3R was demonstrated by the fact that IL-3 rescued IFN-beta-treated monocytes from apoptosis. Monocytes cultured in the presence of IFN-beta and IL-3 acquire a dendritic morphology and express high levels of HLA antigen class I and class II and costimulatory molecules. When stimulated by either lipopolysaccharide or fibroblasts expressing CD40 ligand (CD40L) transfectants, dendritic cells (DCs) generated in IFN-beta and IL-3 secreted high levels of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha but low levels of IL-12 in comparison with DCs generated in IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In mixed leukocyte culture, IL-3-IFN-beta DCs induced a vigorous proliferative response of allogeneic cord blood T cells and elicited the production of high levels of IFN-gamma and IL-5 by naive adult CD4+ T cells. Finally, IL-3-IFN-beta DCs were found to produce much higher levels of IFN-alpha than IL-4-GM-CSF DCs in response to Poly (I:C) but not to influenza virus. It was concluded that monocytes cultured in the presence of IL-3 and IFN-beta differentiate into DCs with potent helper T-cell stimulatory capacity despite their low secretion of IL-12.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Dendritic cells transduced with viral interleukin 10 or Fas ligand: no evidence for induction of allotolerance in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent presenters of alloantigens and therefore are responsible for the induction of allograft rejection. Genetic modifications of DC allowing the expression of a tolerogenic molecule may render them immunosuppressive. We transduced bone marrow-derived DC with recombinant MFG retrovirus encoding either viral interleukin (vIL)-10 or Fas ligand (FasL) to induce transplantation tolerance. Up to 10 ng/ml of bioactive vIL-10 was produced by DC after transfer of the corresponding gene. Although the inhibitory properties of vIL-10-transduced DC were revealed in vitro in a mixed lymphocyte culture, no clear down-regulation of the allogeneic response was observed in vivo after single or multiple injections of those DC overexpressing vIL-10. When we transduced wild-type bone marrow-derived DC with recombinant MFG retrovirus encoding murine FasL, cells quickly died, probably because of suicidal or fratricidal Fas-dependent death. Indeed, only DC from Fas-deficient lpr mice survived to FasL gene transfer. Those FasL-transduced lpr DC exhibited a strong cytotoxic activity against Fas-positive targets in vitro. DC overexpressing FasL did not behave as immunosuppressive DC in vivo. The subcutaneous injection of FasL+ lpr DC in MHC class II-disparate mice hyperactivated the allospecific proliferation of T cells in the draining lymph nodes compared with mice treated with control-transduced DC. These results argue against the development of FasL+ DC or vIL-10-secreting DC as immunosuppressive tools in vivo. The alternative pathways of T-cell activation triggered by these genetically modified DC need to be investigated.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Monophosphoryl lipid A activates both human dendritic cells and T cells.

The induction of dendritic cell (DC) maturation is critical for the induction of Ag-specific T lymphocyte responses and may be essential for the development of human vaccines relying on T cell immunity. In this study, we have investigated the effects of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) on human monocyte-derived DC as well as peripheral blood T cells. Calcium mobilization, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and the NF-kappaB transcription factor were induced after MPL stimulation of DC and required high doses of MPL (100 microg/ml). Maturation parameters such as production of IL-12 and increases in cell surface expression of HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, CD40, and CD83 were observed following DC treatment with MPL. However, lower levels of IL-12 were induced by MPL when compared with lipopolysaccharide. This is likely to be related to differences in the kinetics of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and p-38 phosphorylation induced by both molecules. Although maturation induced by MPL was weaker when compared with lipopolysaccharide, it appeared to be sufficient to support optimal activation of allogeneic naive CD45RA(+) T cell and anti-tetanus toxoid CD4 T cells. MPL at low doses (5 microg/ml) had no impact on DC maturation, while its addition to DC-T cell cocultures induced full T cell activation. The observed effect was related to the fact that MPL also acts directly on T cells, likely through their Toll-like receptors, by increasing their intracellular calcium and up-regulating their CD40 ligand expression. Together, these data support a model where MPL enhances T cell responses by having an impact on DC and T cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2002

Cytokine mRNA quantification by real-time PCR.

Real-time PCR represents a new methodology that accurately quantifies nucleic acids. This has been made possible by the use of fluorogenic probes, which are presented in two forms, namely hydrolysis probes (also called TaqMan probes) and hybridisation probes. We decided to apply this methodology to cytokine mRNA quantification and this led us to the development of a protocol that provides an easy way to develop and perform rapidly real-time PCR on a Lightcycler instrument. It was made possible by the use of freely available software that permits a choice of both the hydrolysis probe and the primers. We firstly demonstrated that the reproducibility of the method using hydrolysis probes compares favourably with that obtained with hybridisation probes. We then applied this technique to determine the kinetics of IL-1ra, IL-1beta, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induction upon stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Finally, the method was also used successfully to demonstrate that IFN-alpha induces IL-10 mRNA accumulation in human monocytes.

Cytokines↗

PubMed2002

Hypereosinophilic syndrome induced by neonatal immunization against MHC class II alloantigen: critical role of IL-4.

A significant proportion of patients with the hypereosinophilic syndrome suffer from oligoclonal expansion of type 2 helper T lymphocytes (Th2). Herein, we first provide evidence that mice immunized at birth against a single MHC class II alloantigen develop pathological features mimicking this variant of the hypereosinophilic syndrome. Indeed, C57BL / 6 mice injected at birth with (C57BL/ 6 x bm12)F1 spleen cells displayed T lymphocytes producing high levels of IL-5 and IL-13, increased blood eosinophil counts, eosinophilic infiltrates in various tissues, hyperplasia of lymphoid tissues, as well as serum hyperIgE. Moreover, eotaxin mRNA accumulated in the spleen of these animals. IL-4-deficient mice developed neither expansion of Th2 cells nor pathological changes except splenomegaly. Eotaxin mRNA accumulation was also prevented in these animals. We conclude that neonatal exposure to a single MHC class II alloantigen is sufficient to elicit an IL-4-dependent hypereosinophilic syndrome mimicking the lymphocytic variant of this disorder in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Extracellular adenine nucleotides modulate cytokine production by human monocyte-derived dendritic cells: dual effect on IL-12 and stimulation of IL-10.

To clarify the functional consequences of adenine nucleotides action on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC), we have systematically compared the effects of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATPgammaS), an ATP analog active on the P2Y(11) receptor, on the responses to three DC stimuli, TNF-alpha, LPS, sCD40L, tested at various concentrations, using two different IL-12 assays. We observed that ATPgammaS potentiated the IL-12p40 release induced by TNF-alpha, but also by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). This potentiation was observed as long as the IL-12p40 concentration under agonist stimulation remained below a threshold value close to 10 ng/ml; inhibition was observed above this value. The combinations ATPgammaS-TNF-alpha and ATPgammaS-sCD40L were unable to induce detectable bioactive IL-12p70 production and at concentrations of LPS that induced a significant stimulation of IL-12p70, the effect of ATPgammaS was purely inhibitory. Our results also show that ATPgammaS synergized with LPS and sCD40L, but not TNF-alpha, to stimulate IL-10 production. In conclusion, we have clarified the discrepancies in the literature concerning the action of adenine nucleotides on DC and our study supports the concept that, like prostaglandin E(2) and other agents increasing cyclic AMP, they favor either a Th2 response or tolerance.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗