How T Cells Respond to IL-12 and IL-18 to Produce IFN-γ
Author Information
Author(s): Munk Rachel B., Sugiyama Katsuki, Ghosh Paritosh, Sasaki Carl Y., Rezanka Louis, Banerjee Kasturi, Takahashi Hidenori, Sen Ranjan, Longo Dan L.
Primary Institution: National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Hypothesis
Can human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells produce IFN-γ in response to IL-12 and IL-18 without antigenic stimulation?
Conclusion
A subset of human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells can produce IFN-γ in response to IL-12 and IL-18 without needing any antigen.
Supporting Evidence
- Naïve and memory CD4+ T cells both responded to IL-12 and IL-18 by producing IFN-γ.
- Only a small percentage of resting CD4+ T cells (0.5 to 1.5%) were capable of producing IFN-γ.
- The production of IFN-γ was sensitive to inhibitors of mTOR and p38 MAP kinase.
- IL-12 and IL-18 acted synergistically to enhance IFN-γ production.
- IFN-γ production was independent of new protein synthesis in resting human CD4+ T cells.
Takeaway
Some T cells in our blood can make a special chemical called IFN-γ when they get two signals, IL-12 and IL-18, even if there's no germ to fight.
Methodology
CD4+ T cells were isolated from healthy donors and stimulated with IL-12 and IL-18, and IFN-γ production was measured.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in donor selection and variability in individual responses.
Limitations
The study only examined a small percentage of T cells and may not represent all T cell populations.
Participant Demographics
Healthy adult donors were used for blood samples.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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