Inhibition of human monocyte adhesion by interleukin-4
MJ Elliott, JR Gamble, LS Park, MA Vadas and AF Lopez
Division of Human Immunology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science,
Adelaide, South Australia.
The adhesion of monocytes to vascular surfaces is central to inflammation
and atherogenesis; however, very little is known about regulatory factors
that can prevent these processes. Here we report the inhibition of human
monocyte adhesion to human endothelial layers and plastic by interleukin-4
(IL-4), a T-cell-derived glycoprotein with pleiotropic activities. The
inhibitory effects of IL-4 were seen with basal and cytokine-stimulated
monocyte adhesion, were apparent at low concentration, and were abolished
by inactivating IL-4. No direct toxic effect of IL-4 on monocytes was
detected. Inhibition of adhesion was accompanied by small increases in
monocyte surface expression of the leukocyte-functional antigen group of
adhesion structures, suggesting that absolute levels of expression may be
less important than the functional status of such molecules in the
regulation of monocyte adhesion. In addition, inhibition by IL-4 of
cytokine-stimulated monocyte adhesion was not associated with changes in
the surface expression of cytokine receptors. These results suggest a role
for IL-4 in the regulation of monocyte adhesion, and may provide for a
common mechanism for the inhibitory effects of IL-4 on monocyte function.
Volume 77,
Issue 12,
pp. 2739-2745,
06/15/1991
Copyright © 1991 by The American Society of Hematology
