| First Author | Lewis DB | Year | 1991 |
| Journal | J Exp Med | Volume | 173 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 89-100 |
| PubMed ID | 1824637 | Mgi Jnum | J:92453 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3052648 | Doi | 10.1084/jem.173.1.89 |
| Citation | Lewis DB, et al. (1991) Interleukin 4 expressed in situ selectively alters thymocyte development. J Exp Med 173(1):89-100 |
| abstractText | Using a transgenic mouse model we show that increased intrathymic expression of interleukin 4 (IL-4) significantly perturbs the development of thymocytes. Transgenic double-positive (CD4+CD8+) thymocytes, which are present in dramatically reduced numbers, exhibit increased T cell receptor (TCR) expression and increased mobilization of calcium mediated by these receptors. In contrast, transgenic single-positive (CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+) thymocytes and peripheral T cells exhibit decreased TCR-mediated calcium mobilization. The development of CD4-CD8+ thymocytes is significantly perturbed by IL-4 expressed in vivo; only peripheral CD4+ T cells are found in significant numbers in transgenic mice, while CD4-CD8+ thymocytes are present in increased numbers, apparently because of their failure to emigrate to the periphery. In contrast to these selective effects on T cell development, no significant differences in the numbers of B cells or mast cells, or in the plasma levels of IgE and IgG1 are observed between transgenic and control mice. These observations suggest that IL-4 in vivo exerts its major effects locally rather than systemically, even when its expression is constitutively increased. |
