INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HUMAN EMBRYONIC FOREBRAIN CELLS AND THE CYTOKINES INTERFERON-GAMMA AND INTERLEUKIN-4

In the present study we investigated the capacity of human first trime ster forebrain cells at different gestational ages to produce IFN-gamm a and IL-4. We also studied the effects of IFN-gamma on their prolifer ation, survival and expression of MHC antigens. IFN-gamma, but not IL- 4 was spontaneously produced after 24 h cultures. Furthermore, IFN-gam ma exhibited anti-proliferative effects and induced MHC expression on these cells. However, the IFN-gamma exposed cultures showed significan tly higher cell survival compared to un-exposed cultures. Co-culture w ith IL-4 blocked the IFN-gamma production and reversed its anti-prolif erative effects. These interactions suggest important roles for cytoki nes in the survival, proliferation and differentiation of human embryo nic and fetal forebrain cells.