Interleukin (IL)-6 Directs the Differentiation of IL-4–producing CD4+ T Cells
Open Access
- 3 February 1997
- journal article
- Published by Rockefeller University Press in The Journal of Experimental Medicine
- Vol. 185 (3), 461-470
- https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.185.3.461
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-4 is the most potent factor that causes naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate to the T helper cell (Th) 2 phenotype, while IL-12 and interferon γ trigger the differentiation of Th1 cells. However, the source of the initial polarizing IL-4 remains unclear. Here, we show that IL-6, probably secreted by antigen-presenting cells, is able to polarize naive CD4+ T cells to effector Th2 cells by inducing the initial production of IL-4 in CD4+ T cells. These results show that the nature of the cytokine (IL-12 or IL-6), which is produced by antigen-presenting cells in response to a particular pathogen, is a key factor in determining the nature of the immune response.Keywords
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