GLUTATHIONE LEVELS IN ANTIGEN-PRESENTING CELLS MODULATE TH1 VERSUS TH2 RESPONSE PATTERNS

Current thinking attributes the balance between T helper 1 (Th1) and T h2 cytokine response patterns in immune responses to the nature of the antigen, the genetic composition of the host, and the cytokines invol ved in the early interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting ce lls. Here we introduce glutathione, a tripeptide that regulates intrac ellular redox and other aspects of cell physiology, as a key regulator y element in this process. By using three different methods to deplete glutathione from T cell receptor transgenic and conventional mice and studying in vivo and/or in vitro responses to three distinct antigens , we show that glutathione levels in antigen-presenting cells determin e whether Th1 or Th2 response patterns predominate. These findings pre sent new insights into immune response alterations in HIV and other di seases. Further, they potentially offer an explanation for the well kn own differences in immune responses in ''Th1'' and ''Th2'' mouse strai ns.