SECRETION PATTERNS OF TH1-TYPE AND TH2-TYPE CYTOKINES IN IMMUNE DEVIATION CAUSED BY DENDRITIC CELLS

The expression of cytokine mRNAs in mice during immune deviation was e xamined. A subcutaneous injection of antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (D Cs) induced strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTW) but not humoral immunity, but an intravenous injection of DCs increased the titer of specific antibodies while inducing weak DTH. There was more interleuki n-4 and interleukin-5 mRNA in mice given DCs subcutaneously than in th ose given DCs intravenously. There; fore, synthesis of cytokines from type 2 helper T (Th2) cells was greater when there was DTH but little or no antibody production. This pattern of cytokine synthesis was in a ccordance with the pattern of isotypes of the specific antibodies prod uced. In the mice given DCs intravenously, there was more mRNA of Th1 cytokines, and the production of IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 antibodies inc reased, but that of IgG1 antibody did not. In immune deviation induced by antigen-plused DCs, cross-regulation of Th1 and Th2 cells may be m ore complicated.