JUXTACRINE STIMULATION OF CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN COCULTURES OF HUMAN DERMAL FIBROBLASTS AND T CELLS

• Published in: Cytokine (Philadelphia, Pa.) Pa.), 1996-08, Vol.8 (8), p.631-635
• Main Authors: Spörri, Bernhard, Bickel, Matthias, Limat, Alain, Waelti, Ernst R., Hunziker, Thomas, Wiesmann, Ulrich N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coculture Techniques; cocultures; cytokines; fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Humans; Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-8 - biosynthesis; interleukin–1; Lymphocyte Activation; Skin - cytology; T cells; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
• ISSN: 1043-4666; 1096-0023
• DOI: 10.1006/cyto.1996.0084

Adhesion of T cells to fibroblasts activates cells to produce cytokines, either by direct cell contact and/or soluble factors. A cell-associated form of IL–1β on fibroblasts might act through a cell contact mediated fashion. To test this hypothesis we analysed the activation of T cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) in coculture experiments. Elevated levels of IL–1β, secreted by T cells as well as IL–6 and IL–8, mainly produced by HDF, were found in supernatant fluids of cocultured cells. IL–1β mRNA expression was induced in T cells as well as in HDF. While in HDF IL–1β remained cell-associated, T cells were activated to produce and secrete soluble IL–1β and IL–6. IL–1β and possibly other soluble factors increased IL–6 production by fibroblasts. These effects could be mainly attributed to CD8 + T cells. Our results suggest, that IL–1β, produced as a cell-associated cytokine by human dermal fibro-blasts, acts as a juxtacrine molecule to stimulate T cells. Such a cellular cooperation, could be a powerful mediator in inflammatory response and possibly in wound healing.