IL-4-induced arginase 1 suppresses alloreactive T cells in tumor-bearing mice

J Immunol. 2003 Jan 1;170(1):270-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.1.270.

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that a specialized subset of immature myeloid cells migrate to lymphoid organs as a result of tumor growth or immune stress, where they suppress B and T cell responses to Ags. Although NO was required for suppression of mitogen activation of T cells by myeloid suppressor cells (MSC), it was not required for suppression of allogenic responses. In this study, we describe a novel mechanism used by MSC to block T cell proliferation and CTL generation in response to alloantigen, which is mediated by the enzyme arginase 1 (Arg1). We show that Arg1 increases superoxide production in myeloid cells through a pathway that likely utilizes the reductase domain of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and that superoxide is required for Arg1-dependent suppression of T cell function. Arg1 is induced by IL-4 in freshly isolated MSC or cloned MSC lines, and is therefore up-regulated by activated Th2, but not Th1, cells. In contrast, iNOS is induced by IFN-gamma and Th1 cells. Because Arg1 and iNOS share L-arginine as a common substrate, our results indicate that L-arginine metabolism in myeloid cells is a potential target for selective intervention in reversing myeloid-induced dysfunction in tumor-bearing hosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginase / biosynthesis*
  • Arginase / metabolism
  • Arginase / physiology*
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Clone Cells
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • Enzyme Induction / immunology
  • Female
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-4 / deficiency
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Cells / enzymology
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Superoxides
  • Interleukin-4
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse
  • Arginase