尿酸对树突状细胞成熟及免疫功能的影响

 目的：观察尿酸（UA）对体外培养的小鼠骨髓来源树突状细胞（BMDCs）成熟及免疫功能的影响。方法：体外分离培养小鼠骨髓来源的DC，使用GM-CSF、IL-4、LPS，并加入UA诱导培养DC。用流式细胞仪技术检测BMDCs细胞表面分子表达，用MTT法检测BMDCs与同基因小鼠T淋巴细胞的混合淋巴细胞反应；ELISA法测定DC培养上清IL-12的水平。结果：通过鉴定体外成功诱导培养出BMDCs。尿酸浓度为400mg/L或200 mg/L时能增强DC细胞表面CD11c、CD83、CD86、IA/IE分子表达率；提高IL-12分泌水平（P＜0.05）； DC与T淋巴细胞比例分别为5∶1、10∶1、20∶1时，能增强DC刺激T细胞增殖能力（P＜0.05）；尿酸浓度为70 mg/L时，细胞表面分子表达、IL-12分泌水平、刺激T细胞增殖作用与对照组比较均无明显差别（P＞0.05）。结论：对体外培养诱导扩增的BMDCs， UA可促进分化与成熟，提高表面共刺激分子表达；增强其刺激T细胞增殖能力和IL-12分泌水平。UA的作用与浓度密切相关。     

凋亡癌细胞抗原致敏IL-23基因转染的树突细胞抗肿瘤免疫反应的研究

目的：探讨IL-23基因转染的树突状细胞（DC）负载癌细胞抗原后诱导的免疫应答对小鼠胰腺癌细胞的抑制作用。方法：克隆并构建IL-23基因真核双表达载体，转染DC并负载肿瘤抗原后制备成疫苗。观察各组脾脏T淋巴细胞IFN-γ和IL-4的分泌量以及DC诱导的CTLs对胰腺癌细胞的杀伤作用。结果：基因测序证实IL-23基因克隆及双表达载体构建成功，转染后DC对共刺激分子MHC-Ⅰ和MHC-Ⅱ的表达增强。接种IL-23修饰DC疫苗后小鼠的免疫防御能力显著增强；DC介导的免疫应答促进了IFN-γ生成型Thl细胞的产生，IL-23转染组IFN-γ的分泌与其他各组比较差异显著（P〈0．01）；IL-23转染组T细胞对抑制性细胞因子IL-4的分泌减少，与DC疫苗组和IL-23DC组比较有显著差异（P〈0．05）。转染的DC疫苗在体内诱导出高水平的CTLs活性（P〈0．05）。结论：IL-23使DC抗原递呈能力更强，IL-23修饰DC疫苗可强化宿主针对特异肿瘤的CTLs免疫应答，使宿主不仅产生防御性免疫反应而且增强自动免疫能力。     

白细胞介素-18干预诱导的树突状细胞表型和活性研究

目的：研究白细胞介素-18（IL-18）干预诱导的树突状细胞（DC）的表型和活性。方法:自人外周血单核细胞诱导DC，第5 d起分为IL-18组、TNF-α组和IL-18+TNF-α组，分别加IL-18、TNF-α及IL-18+TNF-α促成熟，用ELISA法测定上清中IL-12含量；用流式细胞仪测定培养8 d DC的CD1a、HLA-DR、CD83及CD86的表达；用MTT法检测3组DC诱导T细胞增殖的作用。用ELISA法测定3组DC刺激T细胞分泌干扰素γ(IFN-γ)的量。结果:IL-18组与TNF-α组CD1a、HLA-DR、CD83及CD86表达无差异，IL-18+TNF-α组CD1a、CD83及HLA-DR阳性率高于IL-18组。IL-18+TNF-α组IL-12量高于IL-18组和TNF-α组(P＜0.05)。IL-18组与TNF-α组DC刺激T细胞增殖作用无差异，IL-18+TNF-α组DC的作用强于IL-18组和TNF-α组。IL-18组和TNF-α组IFN-γ量无显著差异，IL-18+TNF-α组IFN-γ的量高于IL-18组和TNF-α组(P＜0.05)。结论:IL-18干预诱导的DC高表达表面分子，具有明显的免疫刺激活性，IL-18与 TNF-α合用作用更强。     

腺病毒载体介导EB病毒潜伏期膜蛋白2A基因转染树突状细胞对其功能的影响

目的 探讨腺病毒载体介导EB病毒（EBV）潜伏期膜蛋白2A（LMP2A）基因转染树突状细胞（DC）对其功能的影响。方法 通过同源重组法构建带有EBV－LMP2A基因的重组腺病毒Ad5-LMP2A，用不同感染滴度（MOI）的Ad5-LMP2A转染成熟的DC，用流式细胞术（FACS）检测DC的LPM 2A蛋白表达细胞百分率及用台盼蓝染色计数DC死亡百分率，选择最佳MOI；用最佳MOI的Ad5-LMP2A转染成熟的DC，FACS检测转染前后DC表面分子CD1a、CD83、CD40、CD80及HLA－DR的变化；并用^3H-TdR掺入法检测转染前后DC刺激同种淋巴细胞增殖能力及荧光定量PCR检测表达IL－12 P40 mRNA等功能的改变。结果 MOI 200为Ad5-LMP2A转染DC的最佳滴度，此时约80％的DC表达LMP2S蛋白及92％以上细胞为活细胞。Ad5-LMP2A转染成熟DC前后对细胞表面共刺激分子及特征性表面标志无影响；转染后的DC仍具有较强的刺激同种异体淋巴细胞增殖能力和表达IL－12 P40 mRNA的功能。结论 腺病毒载体能高效介导EBV LMP2A基因在DC中表达，Ad5-LMP2A转染成熟DC对其功能无明显影响，便于进一步用于EBV相关肿瘤的免疫治疗。     

IL-10基因修饰的大鼠树突状细胞表型分析及生物学特性的研究

目的研究IL-10基因修饰后的大鼠树突状细胞(DC)的表型及其生物学特性。方法以含IL-10基因的重组腺病毒载体体外转染大鼠骨髓来源的DC,Western blot测定转染后各组DC中IL-10蛋白的表达,流式细胞仪检测各组DC表面抗原CD83、CD86分子的表达情况,混合淋巴细胞反应法测定各组DC刺激同种异体T细胞增殖的能力。结果 IL-10基因修饰组DC可检测到IL-10高表达,表面抗原CD83、CD86低表达,其刺激T淋巴细胞增殖水平较其他各组低。结论 IL-10基因修饰的DC可有效的表达有功能的IL-10,为研究IL-10修饰的DC诱导同种异体移植免疫耐受奠定了基础。     

小鼠可溶性CD83对树突状细胞表达共刺激分子和共刺激活性的影响

目的：研究可溶性小鼠CD83（mCD83）对树突状细胞（DC）表达共刺激分子及共刺激活性的影响。方法：克隆mCD83基因，构建mCD83胞外功能区与人IgG1αFc段融合基因的真核表达载体pmCD83-hIg，并在COS-7细胞中表达可溶性mCD83-hIg融合蛋白。采用ELISA、Western blot和RT-PCR技术检测mCD83-hIg融合基因在COS-7细胞中的表达。用mCD83-hIg处理小鼠DC细胞系（DC2．4）采用流式细胞术检测DC细胞周期、细胞凋亡和共刺激分子CD80、CD86的表达影响；采用混合白细胞培养试验，检测mCD83-hIg对DC2．4刺激同种异基因T细胞增殖及产生IL-2和IFN-γ的影响。结果：酶切和序列测定鉴定显示构建的真核表达载体完全正确；mCD83-hIg对DC2．4细胞周期和细胞凋亡无影响，但可下调DC2．4表面共刺激分子CD80和CD86的表达；mCD83-hIg处理过的DC2．4刺激同种异基因T细胞增殖及产生IL-2和IFN-γ的能力显著下降。结论：mCD83-hIg可抑制DC表达共刺激分子并下调DC共刺激活性，从而抑制同种异基因T细胞增殖和产生细胞因子。     

IL-12基因修饰DC中SOCS1基因沉默对体外诱导特异性CTL的影响

利用重组腺病毒载体pAd CMV/V5-DEST-IL-12转染小鼠骨髓来源的树突状细胞(IL-12/DC),探讨SOCS1基因沉默IL-12/DC在体外诱导细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)的效能,及其免疫杀伤肺癌细胞株LLC的能力。采用重组腺病毒介导IL-12基因和SOCS1SiRNA基因共同修饰C57BL/6小鼠骨髓来源的DC,经反复冻融法提取LLC抗原,致敏基因修饰的DC;用ELISA法检测各组DC分泌IL-12和IL-10的水平,及各组DC刺激后的T细胞分泌IFN-γ的水平;MTT法检测DC刺激同源小鼠T细胞的增殖能力,微量细胞毒法检测CTL的活性并收集刺激后的T细胞,流式细胞术分析CD8+/CD4+比例和CD4+CD25+Treg的水平;统计学分析各组间的差异。SOCS1SiRNA和IL-12基因共同修饰能有效下调DC中SOCS1蛋白的表达并上调IL-12蛋白的表达;IL-12的分泌水平也明显高于SOCS1SiRNA或IL-12单基因转染组;基因共同修饰的DC表型更加成熟,能明显促进CTL的增殖和活化,减少Treg的生成;CTL分泌高水平的IFN-γ,产生对LLC特异性的细胞免疫。     

转染自体胃癌细胞总RNA的树突状细胞诱导个体化免疫治疗的体外实验

目的探讨转染自体胃癌细胞总RNA的树突状细胞(DC)体外介导抗胃癌的免疫效应。方法制备短期培养的原代胃癌细胞。用rhGM-CSF、rhIL-4和TNF-α体外诱导胃癌患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中DC的发育和成熟,并转染自体肿瘤细胞总RNA,激活自体T细胞产生CTL,用CCK-8试剂盒检测CTL的杀伤活性。应用流式细胞术及混合淋巴细胞培养技术检测DC的免疫功能状态。用ELISA法测定IL-12和INF-γ的水平。结果转染自体肿瘤细胞总RNA的成熟DC,不仅可高表达MHC-I、II类分子及CD80、CD83和CD86协同刺激分子,并可获得高效刺激自体或异体T细胞增殖的能力。转染RNA的成熟DC,分泌IL-12的水平及其刺激产生的CTL培养上清液中INF-γ的水平显著高于单纯成熟DC及未成熟DC;且CTL对自体胃癌细胞的杀伤率显著高于异体组。结论转染自体胃癌细胞总RNA的成熟DC能够体外诱导产生对自体肿瘤细胞具有高度抗原特异性杀伤活性的CTL。     

重组质粒pchIL-18-MAGE转染树突状细胞疫苗体外杀伤肝癌细胞的研究

目的:探讨重组质粒pch IL-18-MAGE转染DC细胞在体外对肝癌细胞的杀伤作用。方法:构建共表达质粒pchIL-18-MAGE,体外培养树突状细胞,将以上重组质粒转染树突状细胞。RT-PCR和Western blot方法验证IL-18和MAGE-1基因在转染DC中的表达。应用流式细胞术检测转染后DC细胞的表型变化。以转染重组质粒DC刺激的淋巴细胞作为效应细胞,单纯淋巴细胞和未经转染DC刺激的淋巴细胞为对照,检测其对肝癌靶细胞的体外杀伤作用。ELISA法检测INF-γ的分泌。结果:pchIL-18-MAGE转染后DC细胞高表达CD83、CD1a、CD86、CD80、HLA-DR等抗原,表现为成熟DC表型特征。共表达质粒转染的DC细胞诱导的CTL对肝癌细胞杀伤作用最强(P<0.05)。结论:pchIL-18-MAGE转染DC细胞对MAGE+肝癌细胞杀伤作用明显。     

香加皮羽扇豆烷乙酸酯(CPLA)对树突状细胞分化成熟的影响

目的：探讨香加皮羽扇豆烷乙酸酯（CPLA）对人外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）来源的树突状细胞（DC）在体外分化成熟及免疫活性的影响。方法：从人外周血分离单个核细胞，与细胞因子GM—CSF、IL-4共培养，于第5天加入DC的促成熟刺激剂TNF-α（阳性对照组）或CPLA。倒置显微镜和透射电镜下观察DC的形态；应用流式细胞术检测成熟DC的表面标志CD1a、CD83、CD80和CD86的表达情况；用ELISA检测DC培养上清中IL-12和IFN-γ的含量；用MTT法测定DC刺激T细胞增殖的能力。结果：培养10d后，经CPLA刺激的PBMC呈现出典型DC的形态学特征；成熟DC的特征性表面分子CD1a、CD83、CD80和CD86表达水平均明显上调（P〈0．05）；细胞培养上清中IL-12和IFN-γ含量明显增高（P〈0．05）；刺激T细胞增殖的能力明显增强（P〈0．05）。结论：CPLA可诱导PBMC来源的DC分化成熟，并可促进其细胞因子的分泌，增强DC的免疫调节活性。     

不同IL-15基因转染对NCI-H446细胞诱导PBMC增殖和杀伤肿瘤细胞的影响

目的 研究不同IL-15基因转染对NCI-H446细胞诱导外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)增殖和杀伤肿瘤细胞的影响.方法 野生型NCI-H446细胞(Cw)和被3种IL-15基因分别转染的3种NCI-H446细胞(Cmp:被IL-15成熟肽基因转染;Cp:被原型IL-15基因转染;Csp:被信号肽换为IL-2信号肽的改型IL-15基因转染),用丝裂霉素(M)处理后(分别名为MCw、MCmp、MCp和MCsp)作为刺激细胞刺激健康志愿者的PBMC.对这些被刺激的PBMC,分别名为MCw-PBMC、MCmp-PBMC、MCp-PBMC和MC-sp-PBMC.台盼蓝拒染法计数细胞数,流式细胞术测定CD4 细胞和CD8 细胞百分率.在MCmp-PBMC,MCp-PBMC和MCsp-PBMC中,选择其细胞数和CD4 细胞和/或CD8 细胞百分率统计学上明显高于MCw-PBMC的作为效应细胞,MTT法测定它们对Cw的杀伤.结果 与MCw-PBMC相比,MCp-PBMC在细胞数、CD4 细胞和CD8 细胞百分率及对Cw的杀伤上,均显著提高(P＜0.05).结论 原型IL-15基因转染能提高NCI-H446细胞诱导PBMC增殖和杀伤野生型NCI-H446细胞的能力.     

IL-24基因修饰的树突状细胞促进CIK细胞对肺癌细胞的杀伤作用

目的 研究IL-24基因修饰的树突状细胞(DC)与同源细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞(cyto-kine-induced killer,CIK)共培养后对A549肺癌细胞的杀伤作用及其机制.方法 从健康人外周血单个核细胞中常规诱导DC、CIK细胞,同时抽提重组腺病毒质粒pAdEasy-1-pTrack-CMV-IL-24,Pac I酶切线性化后脂质体转染QBl-293A细胞,收获Ad-IL-24重组病毒.将IL-24基因通过重组病毒导入已负载肿瘤抗原的DC,获得细胞称为DC-IL-24.RT-PCR和ELISA法检测DC中IL-24基因的表达,FCM和ELISA法检测DC表型及分泌细胞因子能力的变化,将DC和CIK细胞混合培养,溶血试验检测CIK细胞产生穿孔素的能力,FCM法检测共培养的DC-CIK细胞对A549肺癌细胞细胞毒活性的变化.结果 获得了高滴度的重组病毒Ad-IL-24并成功将IL-24基因导入DC,在倒置荧光显微镜下可观察到荧光,IL-24可上调Dc表而CD80、CD83、HLA-DR、CD40、CXCR4分子的表达,转染后Dc分泌IL-12、TNF-α和IL-24的能力显著增强,DC-IL-24更能促进CIK细胞产生穿孔素,与同源CIK细胞共培养后对A549肺癌细胞的细胞毒活件明显增强.结论 IL-24基因修饰的DC能增强自体CIK细胞产生特异性抗肿瘤免疫,其机制与IL-24能促进DC表型成熟,分泌Th1型细胞因子,维持DC活化状态,进而促进CIK细胞活化密切相关.     

IL-18基因修饰对肺癌细胞来源exosome诱导杀伤肿瘤细胞作用的影响

目的: 研究细胞介素18( IL-18 )基因修饰对肺癌细胞来源exosome诱导杀伤肿瘤细胞作用的影响,以探讨高效exosome疫苗的制备。方法: 提取 IL-18 基因修饰的NCI-H460细胞(IL-18/H460)、pcDNA3.1⁺载体修饰细胞(DNA3.1/H460)及未修饰NCI-H460细胞(NCI-H460)上清液的exosome,透射电镜下观察exosome形态;用Western blotting方法检测exosome中热休克蛋白70(HSP70)、人白细胞抗原(HLA)及IL-18的表达;用exosome直接刺激活化T细胞,用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)法测定T细胞对NCI-H460细胞的杀伤作用;用exosome冲击树突状细胞(DCs),然后活化T细胞,测定对NCI-H460细胞的杀伤作用,计算杀伤率。结果: 透射电镜下观察exosome具有典型的形态;3组exosome中均有HSP70及HLA蛋白表达,IL-18/H460组有IL-18蛋白表达。效靶比25∶ 1、10∶ 1、5∶ 1时exosome直接提高活化T细胞的杀伤率,IL-18/H460组为(38.45±5.42)%、(25.17±3.94)%和(11.75±3.22)%,exosome冲击DCs活化T细胞的杀伤率,IL-18/H460组为(89.05±4.06)%、(64.97±6.02)%和(40.16±4.98)%,均高于其余2组。Exosome冲击DCs活化T细胞的杀伤作用强于exosome直接刺激活化的T细胞。结论: IL-18 基因修饰能增强NCI-H460细胞来源exosome诱导的杀伤肿瘤细胞作用。     

Interferon-beta mediates opposing effects on interferon-gamma-dependent Interleukin-12 p70 secretion by human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) exposure during tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced human monocyte-derived dendritic cell (DC) maturation augments the capacity of DC to promote the generation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells, while IFN-beta exposure during naive Th cell stimulation inhibits Th1 cell generation (Nagai et al., J Immunol, 2003 171:5233-43). Investigating these contradictory outcomes of IFN-beta exposure, we find that isolated DC matured with both TNF-alpha and IFN-beta secrete more IL-12 p70 upon CD40L stimulation than DC matured with TNF-alpha alone. mAb blocking studies indicate that the basis for this enhanced IL-12 p70 production is augmentation of two successive CD40-dependent autocrine pathways in the DC: (1) a pathway in which low levels of IL-12 p70, IL-27, IL-18 and, possibly, IL-23 act to mediate autocrine induction of DC IFN-gamma secretion; and (2) an IFN-gamma-initiated autocrine pathway promoting optimal DC IL-12 p70 secretion. In contrast to the IL-12 p70 promoting effects of IFN-beta during DC maturation, IFN-beta pre-treatment before CD40L stimulation was found to inhibit IFN-gamma-mediated enhancement of DC IL-12 p70 secretion. Thus, IFN-beta exposure during TNF-alpha-mediated DC maturation may promote Th1 polarization by increasing DC IL-12 p70 secretion, through enhancement of autocrine-acting IFN-gamma production by the DC. Moreover, IFN-beta exposure during naive Th cell stimulation may inhibit Th1 cell generation by blocking the IFN-gamma-induced signals required for optimal CD40L-induced DC IL-12 p70 secretion. IFN-beta pre-treatment was also observed to inhibit CD40L-induced DC IL-23 secretion. Our findings may account for some of the beneficial effects of IFN-beta therapy in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.     

IFN-beta interferes with the differentiation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: selective inhibition of CD40-dependent interleukin-12 secretion.

We studied the effects of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) on the differentiation of dendritic cells (DC) obtained by culturing plastic-adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a total of 30 healthy volunteers in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). First, we found that the addition of IFN-beta at the initiation of the culture did not modify DC morphology but caused a reproducible and statistically significant upregulation of HLA-DR, CD86, and CD80 surface expression. CD1a expression was significantly reduced, and CD40 expression was unchanged. We then determined the influence of IFN-beta on the production of cytokines by DC. DC differentiated in the presence of IFN-beta secreted significantly less IL-12 (p40 and p70) both spontaneously and on activation by fibroblasts transfected with the CD40L gene. This effect of IFN-beta was dose dependent and selective, as it was not observed for IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). As a consequence, DC differentiated in the presence of IFN-beta induced significantly less IFN-gamma secretion by alloreactive T cells, whereas they were more efficient than control DC in eliciting IL-5 secretion. We conclude that the direct action of IFN-beta on DC causes inhibition of their ability to secrete IL-12 in response to CD40 ligation and to elicit Th1 type responses.     

Th1 cells induce and Th2 inhibit antigen-dependent IL-12 secretion by dendritic cells

Dendritic cells are the most relevant antigen-presenting cells (APC) for presentation of antigens administered in adjuvant to CD4⁺ T cells. Upon interaction with antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cells (DC) expressing appropriate peptide-MHC class II complexes secrete IL-12, a cytokine that drives Th1 cell development. To analyze the T cell-mediated regulation of IL-12 secretion by DC, we have examined their capacity to secrete IL-12 in response to stimulation by antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 DO11.10 TCR-transgenic cells. These cells do not differ either in TCR clonotype or CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression. Interaction with antigen-specific Th1, but not Th2 cells, induces IL-12 p40 and p75 secretion by DC. The induction of IL-12 production by Th1 cells does not depend on their IFN-γ secretion, but requires direct cell-cell contact mediated by peptide/MHC class II-TCR and CD40-CD40L interactions. Th2 cells not only fail to induce IL-12 secretion, but they inhibit its induction by Th1 cells. Unlike stimulation by Th1, inhibition of IL-12 production by Th2 cells is mediated by soluble molecules, as demonstrated by transwell cultures. Among Th2-derived cytokines, IL-10, but not IL-4 inhibit Th1-driven IL-12 secretion. IL-10 produced by Th2 cells appears to be solely responsible for the inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 secretion, but it does not account for the failure of Th2 cells to induce IL-12 production by DC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Th1 cells up-regulate IL-12 production by DC via IFN-γ-independent cognate interaction, whereas this is inhibited by Th2-derived IL-10. The inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 production by Th2 cells with the same antigen specificity represents a novel mechanism driving the polarization of CD4⁺ T cell responses.     

Maturation of dendritic cells by necrotic thyrocytes facilitates induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation is required for efficient presentation of autoantigens leading to autoimmunity. In this report, we have examined whether release of tissue antigens from necrotic thyroid epithelial cells can trigger DC maturation and initiation of a primary anti-self response. DC were cocultured with either viable (VT/DC) or necrotic (NT/DC) thyrocytes, and their phenotypic and functional maturation as well as immunopathogenic potential were assessed. Significant up-regulation of surface MHC class II and costimulatory molecule expression was observed in NT/DC but not in VT/DC. This was correlated with a functional maturation of NT/DC, determined by IL-12 secretion. Challenge of CBA/J mice with NT/DC, but not with VT/DC, elicited thyroglobulin (Tg)-specific IgG as well as Tg-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses and led to development of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. These results support the view that thyroid epithelial cell necrosis may cause autoimmune thyroiditis via maturation of intrathyroidal DC.     

Normal B cells fail to secrete interleukin-12

Interleukin-12 is a key regulatory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells (APC) which drives the development of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing cells and promotes cell-mediated immunity. Following subcutaneous immunization with protein antigen in adjuvant, dendritic cells (DC) but not small nor large B cells in immune lymph nodes express antigenic complexes and secrete substantial amounts of bioactive IL-12 p75 upon antigen-specific interaction with T cells. We have analyzed secretion of IL-12 p40 and p75 by cell populations enriched in DC, macrophages or B cells in response to nonspecific stimulation or to interaction with antigen-specific CD4⁺ cells. These APC populations do not produce IL-12 constitutively but, upon stimulation with heat-fixed Staphylococcus aureus and IFN-γ, IL-12 p40 and p75 are secreted by DC and macrophages, whereas B cells fail to produce IL-12. B cells also fail to secrete IL-12 in response to stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ. Co-culture with CD4⁺ T hybridoma cells and antigen induces IL-12 secretion by DC. Up-regulation of IL-12 secretion by interaction with antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells is abrogated by anti-class II monoclonal antibodies (mAb), by soluble CD40 molecules and by anti-CD40 ligand mAb, demonstrating a positive feedback between T cells and DC mediated by TCR-peptide/class II and by CD40-CD40 ligand interactions. Expression of class II and CD40 molecules is comparable in B cells and DC, and both APC types activate CD4⁺ T cells. Yet, even upon interaction with antigen-specific T cells, B cells fail to secrete IL-12. The capacity of B cells to present antigen but not to secrete IL-12 may explain their propensity to selectively drive T helper type 2 cell development.