Cytokine production by dengue virus antigen-responsive human T lymphocytes in vitro examined using a double immunocytochemical technique

J Leukoc Biol. 1997 Mar;61(3):338-45. doi: 10.1002/jlb.61.3.338.

Abstract

A number of studies suggest that cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of viral infections, including dengue. In this study, we developed a double immunocytochemical method and characterized cytokine-producing cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of dengue virus-immune donors after in vitro stimulation with specific dengue antigens. We found that double immunostaining using immunoalkaline phosphatase (Vector blue) for cytokines [interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL) -2, -4, -1alpha, -1beta, and -6, tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-beta), and TNF-alpha] and immunoperoxidase [diaminobenzidine (DAB)] for cell surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD68) provided the best distinction of double-positive cells from single-positive or -negative cells. The number of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and TNF-beta-positive cells increased 2 or 3 days after stimulation with specific dengue antigens. No or very few cytokine-producing cells were detected in the PBMC of non-immune donors stimulated with dengue antigens and the PBMC of immune donors stimulated with a control antigen. The analysis of cell surface markers showed that mainly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produced these cytokines. The results obtained by immunocytochemistry were consistent with cytokine levels detected in the culture medium assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In conclusion, this double immunocytochemistry technique is suitable for the detection and characterization of cytokine-producing cells in PBMC. Furthermore, the results support the hypothesis that antigen-stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produce cytokines that may play a role in the pathogenesis of dengue virus infection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / pharmacology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dengue Virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / metabolism
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukins
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma