Aluminium hydroxide adjuvant initiates strong antigen-specific Th2 responses in the absence of IL-4-or IL-13-mediated signaling

Brewer, J. , Conacher, M., Hunter, C. A., Mohrs, M., Brombacher, F. and Alexander, J. (1999) Aluminium hydroxide adjuvant initiates strong antigen-specific Th2 responses in the absence of IL-4-or IL-13-mediated signaling. Journal of Immunology, 163(12), pp. 6448-6454. (PMID:10586035)

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrate that aluminium hydroxide adjuvant (alum) produces increased Th1 responses in IL-4-deficient mice compared with wild-type animals, although the continued production of IL-5 by spleen cells from these mice also indicates that Th2 responses are induced. In the present study, we demonstrate that alum can induce Th2-associated IL-4 and IL-5 production in the absence of IL-4 signaling in mice deficient in either IL-4Rα or Stat6. The Th2 responses observed could not be due to IL-13 as IL-13 responses are also impaired in IL-4Rα- and Stat6-deficient mice. We also detected higher levels of IL-4 in IL-4Rα gene-deficient, though not Stat6-deficient, mice compared with their wild-type counterparts. The increased levels of IL-4 could be explained by the IL-4R being unavailable to neutralize this cytokine in IL-4Rα-deficient mice. While levels of IL-5 production in IL-4Rα- or Stat6-deficient mice were similar to IL-4-deficient and wild-type mice, other type 2-associated responses, which are largely or wholly IL-4 dependent, such as the production of IgG1 or IgE Abs, were either reduced or absent. We conclude that alum adjuvants can induce IL-4 production and Th2 responses independently of IL-4 or IL-13, negating the requirement for an early source of IL-4 in the Th2 response induced by this adjuvant.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brewer, Professor James
• Authors: Brewer, J., Conacher, M., Hunter, C. A., Mohrs, M., Brombacher, F., and Alexander, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Immunology
• Publisher: American Association of Immunologists
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• ISSN (Online): 1550-6606