CYTOKINE-INDUCED IMMUNE DEVIATION AS A THERAPY FOR INFLAMMATORY AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASE

The properties and outcome of an immune response are best predicted by the lymphokine phenotype of the responding T cells. Cytokines produce d by CD4(+) T helper type 1 (Th1) T cells mediate delayed type hyperse nsitivity (DTH) and inflammatory responses, whereas cytokines produced by Th2 T cells mediate helper T cell functions for antibody productio n. To determine whether induction of Th2-like cells would modulate an inflammatory response, interleukin 4 (IL-4) was administered to animal s with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a prototypic aut oimmune disease produced by Th1-like T cells specific for myelin basic protein (MBP). IL-4 treatment resulted in amelioration of clinical di sease, the induction of MBP-specific Th2 cells, diminished demyelinati on, and inhibition of the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines in the c entral nervous system (CNS). Modulation of an immune response from one dominated by excessive activity of Th1-like T cells to one dominated by the protective cytokines produced by Th2-like T cells may have appl icability to the therapy of certain human autoimmune diseases.