Polarized expression of cytokines in cell conjugates of helper T cells and splenic B cells

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 Feb 1;88(3):775-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.88.3.775.

Abstract

We describe the intracellular localization, by double immunofluorescence microscopy, of four cytokines that were produced during the prolonged interaction of cloned helper T cells with resting splenic B cells. When two rabbit immunoglobulin-specific helper-T-cell clones were mixed, either separately or together, with splenic B cells in the presence of the antigen rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibodies, stable T-cell-B-cell conjugates were seen up to 29 hr later. Microscopic observations of these cells revealed that interferon gamma and interleukin 2, inside one of the T-cell clones, and interleukins 4 and 5, inside the other T-cell clone, were concentrated very close to the T-cell-B-cell contact area. The cytokines were not seen in the T cells prior to their interaction with the B cells and their production was strictly antigen-specific. These studies show, at the single-cell level, that helper-T-cell clones can remain bound to splenic B cells long enough for the T cells to produce cytokines, which are synthesized near the bound B cells. We propose that the polarized synthesis of the cytokines may result in their directed secretion toward the bound B cells. By locally secreting the cytokines, which are not antigen-specific, at the contacting T-cell-B-cell membranes, where T- and B-cell surface receptors are engaged and clustered, the helper T cells can induce selective and specific B-cell responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis
  • Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • Interleukin-4 / analysis
  • Interleukin-5 / analysis
  • Interleukins / analysis
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-5
  • Interleukins
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma