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Interferon-gamma receptor signaling is not required in the effector phase of the alloimmune response
J U Steiger1, P W Nickerson, M Hermle
1Department of Research, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. steigerj@ubaclu.unibas.ch
Background:
Gene transcripts for the Thl cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are frequently detected during allograft rejection. The relative importance of these cytokines in facilitating allograft rejection is unclear. Recently, we have shown that IL-2-deficient mice reject islet allografts. In the IL-2-deficient system, IFN-gamma gene transcripts are abundantly expressed.
Methods:
To determine the relative importance of IFN-gamma-dependent effector mechanisms in mediating allograft rejection, the present study utilized IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice as islet allograft recipients. Grafts were analyzed by immunohistology, and cytokine expression was measured by competitive template reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice reject islet allografts by a process that is T cell-dependent. Although IFN-gamma receptor signaling is absent, these mice do not show a clear Th2 type response.
Conclusion:
Although the signals evoked through the IFN-gamma receptor may play a role, they are not essential to allograft rejection.