Abstract 228
Background: Stimulation with IFN-γ upregulates molecules of the B7-family on Mφ, which allow them to provide costimulatory signals for T cell activation. Evidence that Mφ can destroy T cells comes from the studies with coreceptor-specific antibodies. Mφ recognize αCD4 mAb and destroy targeted T cells in a CD95-dependent pathway. Aims: We addressed the question, how preincubation of Mφ with IFN-γ may functionally influence the deletion of T cells. Methods: Isolated Mφ from healthy adults were stimulated with IFN-γ for 24h and washed twice prior to coincubation with Mφ-depleted T-cells and a cytophilic αCD4 mAb. T cell-subpopulations were stained fluorometrically with non-crossreactive antibodies. Results: Compared to untreated Mφ, preincubation with IFN-γ leads to an upregulation of B7-1 and B7-2 on Mφ and to a 50% decreased fraction of deleted CD4 T cells after coincubation with αCD4 mAb. The addition of a neutralizing αIFN-γ mAb inhibits IFN-γ-mediated effects on Mφ, enhances T cell-deletion in the non-preincubated group and partially reverts the IFN-γ-effects in the preincubated group. Conclusion: These results suggest an altered T cell deletion after IFN-γ mediated Mφ-activation and thus may have relevance in the perpetuation of T cell activation e.g. following infection.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orlikowsky, T., Dannecker, G., Niethammer, D. et al. Pretreatment of macrophages (Mφ) with Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) rescues T cells from antibody-dependent deletion. Pediatr Res 45, 925 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199906000-00246
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199906000-00246