Synthesis of cytokines during tumour development in mice immunized with the mycobacterial antigen complex A60
(1996) Scandinavian Journal of Immunology — Vol. 44, n° 4, p. 369-374 (1996)
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- Abstract
- The authors have previously reported on the ability of A60, an immunodominant antigenic complex of Mycobacterium bovis BCG, to prevent cancer development in mice challenged with EMT 6 tumour cells. Such effect proved to rely on neoplastic cell lysis by cytolytic T lymphocytes and activated macrophages. The involvement of cytokines in triggering the immune response leading to tumour rejection is analysed in the present work. The synthesis of IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was strongly increased in A60-primed mice. Cancer development depressed the blood levels of these three cytokines. In vitro cultures of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and blood of A60-primed mice produced higher levels of these cytokines in the presence of A60, as compared to cultures lacking A60. Such effect was inhibited by co-incubation of lymphocytes with EMT 6 tumour cells. In vitro cultures of macrophages yielded higher levels of TNF-alpha in the presence of A60 and co-incubation of these cells with EMT 6 tumour cells also inhibited TNF-a production. The enhanced synthesis of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, which promote activation of cytolytic T lymphocytes and macrophages, accounts for the increased tumour cell lysis induced in vivo by A60. The A60-promoted synthesis of TNF-alpha is partly responsible for the latter effect. The inhibitory action of EMT-6 tumour cells on cytokine synthesis is a powerful mechanism of tumour escape from the immune system's control.
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Maes, H., & Cocito, C. (1996). Synthesis of cytokines during tumour development in mice immunized with the mycobacterial antigen complex A60. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 44(4), 369-374. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3083.1996.d01-318.x (Original work published 1996)