CD4 T cell cytokine differentiation: the B cell activation molecule, OX40 ligand, instructs CD4 T cells to express interleukin 4 and upregulates expression of the …

S Flynn, KM Toellner, C Raykundalia… - The Journal of …, 1998 - rupress.org
S Flynn, KM Toellner, C Raykundalia, M Goodall, P Lane
The Journal of experimental medicine, 1998rupress.org
This report investigates the role of OX40 ligand (OX40L) and its receptor, OX40, expressed
on activated B and T cells, respectively, in promoting the differentiation of T helper type 2
(Th2) CD4 T cells. These molecules are expressed in vivo by day 2 after priming with T cell–
dependent antigens. Their expression coincides with the appearance of immunoglobulin (Ig)
G switch transcripts and mRNA for interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ, suggesting that
this molecular interaction plays a role in early cognate interactions between B and T cells. In …
This report investigates the role of OX40 ligand (OX40L) and its receptor, OX40, expressed on activated B and T cells, respectively, in promoting the differentiation of T helper type 2 (Th2) CD4 T cells. These molecules are expressed in vivo by day 2 after priming with T cell– dependent antigens. Their expression coincides with the appearance of immunoglobulin (Ig)G switch transcripts and mRNA for interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ, suggesting that this molecular interaction plays a role in early cognate interactions between B and T cells. In vitro, we report that costimulation of naive, CD62Lhigh CD4 T cells through OX40 promotes IL-4 expression and upregulates mRNA for the chemokine receptor, blr-1, whose ligand is expressed in B follicles and attracts lymphocytes to this location. Furthermore, T cell stimulation through OX40 inhibits IFN-γ expression in both CD8 T cells and IL-12–stimulated CD4 T cells. Although this signal initiates IL-4 expression, IL-4 itself is strongly synergistic. Our data suggest that OX40L on antigen-activated B cells instructs naive T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells and migrate into B follicles, where T cell–dependent germinal centers develop.
rupress.org