IFN-gamma expression in CD8+ T cells regulated by IL-6 signal is involved in superantigen-mediated CD4+ T cell death

Int Immunol. 2009 Jan;21(1):73-80. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxn125. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Abstract

Infection with pathogens containing superantigens (Sags) can result in massive excessive CD4+ T cell activation and death in such conditions as toxic shock, food poisoning and autoimmune diseases. We here showed how enhancement of IL-6 signaling suppresses Sag-mediated activated CD4+ T cell death. Sag-induced CD4+ T cell death increased in IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, whereas it decreased in mice characterized by enhanced IL-6-gp130-STAT3 signaling. The serum concentration of IFN-gamma was inversely correlated with the magnitude of IL-6 signaling, and IFN-gamma deficiency inhibited Sag-induced activated CD4+ T cell death, suggesting that IL-6 suppresses CD4+ T cell death via IFN-gamma expression. Interestingly, depletion of activated CD8+ T cells inhibited Sag-mediated increases in IFN-gamma expression in IL-6 KO mice as well as the augmented CD4+ T cell death. The results demonstrate that IL-6-gp130-STAT3 signaling in activated CD8+ T cells contributes to Sag-induced CD4+ T cell death via IFN-gamma expression, highlighting this signaling axis in CD8+ T cells as a potential therapeutic target for Sag-related syndromes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction
  • Superantigens / immunology*
  • Superantigens / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Superantigens
  • Interferon-gamma