Expression of L-selectin on Th1 cells is regulated by IL-12.

Journal article

L-selectin has become established as a key molecule in the recirculation of naïve T cells from the blood to peripheral lymph nodes, yet little is known about its role in the migration of effector or memory cells. While differentiating naïve CD4+ T cells into Th1 and Th2 subsets in vitro, it was noted that L-selectin levels were maintained on the Th1 subset of cells. The expression of L-selectin on the Th1 cells appeared to be dependent on the presence of IL-12. Th2 cells, differentiated in the absence of IL-12, failed to maintain L-selectin expression. Coculture with IL-12, IL-18, IL-4, TNF-alpha, or IFN-alpha, -beta, or -gamma demonstrated a dependence on IL-12 alone for L-selectin expression. In addition, the inclusion of heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes in the cultures also maintained L-selectin expression on the Th1 cells. In all cultures, the maintenance of L-selectin on the T cell surface could be blocked by the inclusion of anti-IL-12 Abs. Analysis of the mRNA levels for L-selectin in T cells, differentiated in the presence or absence of IL-12, showed that the cytokine appears to exert its effect on L-selectin at the transcriptional level. Given the key role played by IL-12 in the differentiation of naïve T cells into the Th1 subset, the observation that IL-12 can also regulate L-selectin expression has implications for the migration of Th1 effector cells both through the lymphatic system and to sites of inflammation.

Authors: van Wely, C; Beverley, P; Brett, S; Britten, C; Tite, J

• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 163
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 1214-1221
• Publication date: 1999-08-01
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Language: English
• Keywords: Mice, Transgenic; Animals; Transcription, Genetic; Hot Temperature; Mice; Adjuvants, Immunologic; L-Selectin; Th2 Cells; Cells, Cultured; Molecular Sequence Data; Listeria monocytogenes; Amino Acid Sequence; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Th1 Cells; Interleukin-12; RNA, Messenger; Lymphocyte Activation