The Journal of Immunology, Vol 144, Issue 7 2572-2581, Copyright © 1990 by American Association of Immunologists

ARTICLES

A role for cytokines in antigen presentation: IL-1 and IL-4 induce accessory functions of antigen-presenting cells

FB Aiello, DL Longo, R Overton, L Takacs and SK Durum
Biological Carcinogenesis and Development Program, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility, MD 21701-1013.

Fixation of APC with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodiimide (ECDI) eliminates their ability to stimulate proliferation of alloreactive T cells or the D10 T cell clone, although a partial response, IL-4 production, was measured. However, if APC were activated before fixation, they could be ECDI-fixed and retain the ability to induce T cell proliferation. IL-1, IL-4 or LPS were capable of activating APC in this way, whereas IFN-gamma was not. This activation step occurred in 6 h, required protein synthesis, and was distinct from increases in Ia or IL-1. This suggests resting APC lack structures that are essential for inducing T cell proliferation.