Regulation of alloreactivity in vivo by a soluble form of the interleukin-1 receptor
Article Abstract:
Interleukins 1-alpha and 1-beta (IL-1a and IL-1b) are substances involved in the immune and inflammatory responses. They are produced by cells of the immune system and activate (stimulate) T cells (another type of immune system cell) to divide, thus increasing the number of cells present to mount an immune response. In order to activate T cells, interleukins bind to a receptor molecule on the T cell surface known as the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R). It is possible to manufacture a protein under laboratory conditions that is a soluble form of a protein similar to IL-1R (sIL-1R). Since this molecule could be expected to bind to IL-1 (in a manner similar to the way the actual receptor binds), it seemed likely that it could reduce the effects of that interleukin in graft rejection, one of the most important activities of the cellular immune system. This was tested by assessing the response of mice to tissue transplanted from other mice, with and without injections of sIL-1R. Results showed an increase in graft survival time of five to six days in the mice that received sIL-1R. Additional experiments tested the effect of sIL-1R on the reaction of mice when cells from other mice with a different genetic make-up were injected into a small area on their feet. The usual response in such a situation is lymphoproliferation (an increase in lymphoid tissue), indicated by increased lymph node weight or cell number. Results showed that this response was dramatically inhibited by sIL-1R. Other work showed that sIL-1R most likely acts by neutralizing IL-1. Overall, the results suggest that IL-1 is important in reactivity to grafts, and that its effects can be ameliorated by sIL-1R. Such an in vivo demonstration implies that such receptors could have therapeutic use when suppression of the immune response is desired. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1990
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CD1: presenting unusual antigens to unusual T lymphocytes
Article Abstract:
Two recent discoveries shed light on the role of cell-surface CD1 molecules in the immune system. P A Sieling found that human CD1b binds lipid antigens to T cells, rather than peptides, and Raul Castano identified several peptides that bind to a soluble mouse CD1.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1995
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