Differential modulatory effect of IL-5 on MHC class II expression by macrophages and B cells

The present study examines the effect of interleukin 5 on the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in macrophages and B cells. Treatment of splenic adherent cells, a population that contains mostly macrophages and dendritic cells, with 100 U/ml of recombinant interleukin 5 resulted in a decrease of 10 to 30% in cell surface MHC class II expression by macrophages. The treatment had no effect on class I MHC expression, or on the mRNA synthesis as evaluated by tritiated-uridine incorporation. The same treatment of B cells resulted in the delineation of two groups with regard to class II MHC expression in a previously more homogeneous population. One group had an increase in surface Ia expression and the other had a decrease in the expression of this molecule. These results suggest that interleukin 5 has a role in MHC class II regulation.