DIFFERENT RESPONSE OF RAT KUPFFER CELLS TO LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE AFTER EXPOSURE TO T-HELPER CYTOKINES

Effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on ra t Kupffer cell (KC) functions were investigated. Lipopolysaccharide (L PS)-stimulated KCs pretreated with IL-4 produced much more prostagland in E-2 than those pretreated with IFN-gamma. In contrast, LPS-stimulat ed KCs pretreated with IFN-gamma produced much more tumor necrosis fac tor-alpha, and nitrate and nitrite than those pretreated with IL-4. Di fferent morphologic changes were induced after the culture with each c ytokine; transformation of KCs into multinucleated giant cells with IL -4 was especially noted. These results suggest that IFN-gamma and IL-4 , produced by different subsets of T-helper lymphocytes, differently i nduce KC into specific morphology, and change KC response to endotoxin s, possibly resulting in a modulation of hepatic inflammation. (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.