Analysis of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production in different major histocompatability complex-restricted antigen presentation systems

In the present study the production of the CC chemokine monocyte chemotacti c protein-1 (MCP-1) in several NMC II-restricted antigen presentation syste ms was investigated in vitro. To assess which type of antigen-presenting ce ll (APC) influences MCP-1 production during antigen presentation, cultures enriched for different APC populations were prepared and MCP-1 production w as determined. Our results showed that APCs that effectively induce a T cel l response also produce elevated amounts of MCP-1. The MCP-1 production is highest in the memory-driven secondary response against a single antigen. D espite a massive T cell proliferation, low MCP-1 concentrations are found i n Con A-induced cultures. These results suggest that T cell proliferation a lone is not sufficient for MCP-1 production and that stimulation of the APC during the process of antigen presentation results in MCP-1 production. Ba sed on our results and the literature, we propose a model for MCP-1 as an e nhancer of the adaptive immune response. (C) 2001 Academic Press.