Cutting edge: IFN-gamma regulates the induction and expansion of IL-17-producing CD4 T cells during mycobacterial infection

J Immunol. 2006 Aug 1;177(3):1416-20. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.3.1416.

Abstract

T cell responses are important to the control of infection but are deleterious if not regulated. IFN-gamma-deficient mice infected with mycobacteria exhibit enhanced accumulation of activated effector T cells and neutrophils within granulomatous lesions. These cells do not control bacterial growth and compromise the integrity of the infected tissue. We show that IFN-gamma-deficient mice have increased numbers of IL-17-producing T cells following infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette Guérin. Furthermore, exogenous IFN-gamma increases IL-12 and decreases IL-23 production by bacille Calmette Guérin-infected bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and reduces the frequency of IL-17-producing T cells induced by these bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. These data support the hypothesis that, during mycobacterial infection, both IFN-gamma- and IL-17-producing T cells are induced, but that IFN-gamma serves to limit the IL-17-producing T cell population. This counterregulation pathway may be an important factor in limiting mycobacterially associated immune-mediated pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / microbiology
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology*
  • Interleukin-12 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-23
  • Interleukin-23 Subunit p19
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis
  • Interleukins / deficiency
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mycobacterium bovis / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis / pathology

Substances

  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Il23a protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Interleukin-23 Subunit p19
  • Interleukins
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interferon-gamma