T1/ST2 expression is enhanced on CD4+ T cells from schistosome egg-induced granulomas: analysis of Th cell cytokine coexpression ex vivo

J Immunol. 1999 Apr 1;162(7):3882-9.

Abstract

Th cells are categorized into subsets based on the cytokine production of in vitro-differentiated Th populations. For in vivo-differentiated Th subsets, little is known about the heterogeneity of cytokine production in single cells. We recently described a molecule, T1/ST2, that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th2 cells. Here we combined high-gradient magnetic cell separation with four-color single-cell cytometry to analyze simultaneously three intracellular cytokines and T1/ST2 surface expression on CD4+ cells from lungs containing granulomas induced by Schistosoma mansoni eggs. T1/ST2 was highly up-regulated on CD4+ T cells from hepatic granulomas and granulomatous lungs. T1/ST2+ cells from granulomatous lungs preferentially produced type 2 cytokines ex vivo. In the total CD4+ population, coexpression of type 1 and type 2 cytokines occurred frequently. However, such coproduction was drastically reduced in T1/ST2+ cells compared with T1/ST2- cells. Coexpression of type 1 and type 2 cytokines was also rare in cells simultaneously producing two cytokines of one type. These findings indicate that individual CD4+ T cells in vivo have different levels of commitment to a certain Th phenotype. Coexpression of two type 2 cytokines or production of one type 2 cytokine together with surface expression of T1/ST2 indicate advanced commitment to the Th2 phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / immunology*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / metabolism
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / parasitology
  • Intracellular Fluid / immunology
  • Intracellular Fluid / metabolism
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / parasitology
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovum / immunology*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / cytology
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Membrane Proteins