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Lookup NU author(s): Professor John Robinson
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T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) are central to immune regulation. However, no stable cell surface marker capable of distinguishing and separating these two subsets of CD4+ cells has yet been found. Using differential display PCR, we have identified a gene encoding a cell membrane bound molecule, originally designated ST2L, T1, DER4, or Fit, expressed constitutively and stably on the surface of murine Th2s, but not Th1s even after stimulation with a range of immunological stimuli. Antibody against a peptide derived from ST2L strongly and stably labeled the surface of cloned Th2s but not Th1s, and Th2s but not Th1s derived from naive T cells of ovalbumin T cell receptor-α/β transgenic mice. Three-color single cell flow cytometric analysis shows that cell surface ST2L coexpressed with intracellular interleukin (IL)-4, but not with interferon (IFN)-γ. The antibody selectively lysed Th2s in vitro in a complement-dependent manner. In vivo, it enhanced Th1 responses by increasing IFN-γ production and decreasing IL-4 and IL-5 synthesis. It induced resistance to Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice and exacerbated collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice. Thus, ST2L is a stable marker distinguishing Th2s from Th1s and is also associated with Th2 functions. Hence, it may be a target for therapeutic intervention.
Author(s): Xu D, Chan WL, Leung BP, Huang F-P, Wheeler R, Piedrafita D, Robinson JH, Liew FY
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Experimental Medicine
Year: 1998
Volume: 187
Issue: 5
Pages: 787-794
Print publication date: 02/03/1998
ISSN (print): 0022-1007
ISSN (electronic): 1540-9538
Publisher: Rockefeller University Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1084/jem.187.5.787
DOI: 10.1084/jem.187.5.787
PubMed id: 9480988
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