Interleukin (IL)-4 is the most potent factor that causes naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate to the T helper cell (Th) 2 phenotype, while IL-12 and interferon γ trigger the differentiation of Th1 cells. However, the source of the initial polarizing IL-4 remains unclear. Here, we show that IL-6, probably secreted by antigen-presenting cells, is able to polarize naive CD4+ T cells to effector Th2 cells by inducing the initial production of IL-4 in CD4+ T cells. These results show that the nature of the cytokine (IL-12 or IL-6), which is produced by antigen-presenting cells in response to a particular pathogen, is a key factor in determining the nature of the immune response.
Interleukin (IL)-6 Directs the Differentiation of IL-4–producing CD4+ T Cells
M. Rincón,J. Anguita,Tetsu Nakamura,E. Fikrig,R. Flavell
Published 1997 in Journal of Experimental Medicine
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
1997
- Venue
Journal of Experimental Medicine
- Publication date
1997-02-03
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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