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T cell activation status determines the cytokine pattern induced by zymosan and bacterial DNA both in thymocytes and

C Zimmermann1, A Weber, A K Mausberg

  • 1Department of Neurology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|April 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Microbial stimuli like zymosan and bacterial DNA significantly enhance T cell activation, boosting interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine production in both the spleen and thymus.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Proinflammatory cytokines are key in sepsis immunopathology.
  • Zymosan (fungal) and bacterial DNA are used to model microbial infections.
  • Immune cells in the periphery and thymus are impacted during sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cytokine patterns in the spleen and thymus in response to zymosan and E. coli DNA.
  • To determine the role of T cell activation status on cytokine secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Ex-vivo cultures of spleen and thymus cells were stimulated with zymosan and E. coli DNA, with and without αCD3 stimulation.
  • Cytokine secretion was measured using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and flow cytometry.
  • Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models were used to assess PLP peptide-specific responses.

Main Results:

  • Both zymosan and E. coli DNA strongly co-stimulated αCD3-induced interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in thymus and spleen.
  • Moderate stimulation of IL-17 production was observed.
  • Zymosan enhanced PLP peptide-specific IFN-γ and IL-6 production in EAE models.

Conclusions:

  • T cell activation status is critical for the cytokine profile produced by immune cells upon encountering microbial components.
  • Sepsis-related microbial stimuli significantly influence cytokine production in both mature and immature immune cell populations.

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