Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on cytokine production and expression of VIP receptors in thymocyte subsets.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Intrathymic T cell precursors undergo a programmed sequence of developmental changes resulting in the production of mature, self-MHC restricted, single positive T lymphocytes which migrate to the periphery. The intrathymic T cell development is controlled by various factors, including cytokines and possibly neuroendocrine hormones. Our previous studies indicate that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) inhibits IL-2 and IL-4 production in thymocytes through different molecular mechanisms. Thymocytes acquire the competence to express IL-2 and IL-2R during thymic development in a maturation-dependent manner. In this study we investigate the effect of VIP on IL-2 production, and the expression of VIP-R1 and VIP-R2 mRNA in different thymocyte subsets in comparison to T cell lines. All thymocyte subsets and T cell lines tested express VIP-R2. In contrast, only single positive, CD4+8- and CD4-8+ thymocytes express VIP-R1. VIP inhibits IL-2 production in CD4+8+ and single positive CD4+8- and CD4-8+ thymocytes and in TH1 cells stimulated through the TCR. No inhibition is observed in CD3-4-8- and single positive CD4+8- and CD4-8+ thymocytes, or in TH1 cells stimulated by a combination of calcium ionophores and phorbol esters. These findings suggest that VIP inhibits IL-2 production through VIP-R2, and that it interferes with a TCR-connected transduction pathway. We also investigate the expression of VIP mRNA in thymocyte subsets and T cell lines, and conclude that thymocytes as well as antigen-specific T cells may function as VIP sources within the lymphoid organs.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Xin, Z; Jiang, X; Wang, HY; Denny, TN; Dittel, BN; Ganea, D
Published Date
- September 26, 1997
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 72 / 1
Start / End Page
- 41 - 54
PubMed ID
- 9404731
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0167-0115
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/s0167-0115(97)01028-8
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands