CD4⁺CD45RA⁺ naive T cells secrete Th2-type cytokines on stimulation with IL-11.

Highly purified naive T cells were stimulated with plate-coated anti-CD3 and soluble anti-CD28 MoAbs (A) (n = 2) or allogeneic mature Mo-DCs (B) (n = 3) in the presence or absence (w/o) of IL-11 (A,B) or IL-4 (A). In neutralization experiments, specific anti–IL-11 and anti–IL-4 antibodies or isotype controls were added to the culture. IL-4 and IFN-γ were assayed in the supernatant by ELISA (A) or by a quantitative flow cytometry–based immunoassay (B). IL-5 was measured using the Opteia kit. Consistent with the cytokine intracellular staining data, IL-11 and IL-4 significantly reduced IFN-γ production by naive T-cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 MoAbs alone (w/o IL-11) (P < .05), whereas it increased IL-4 and IL-5 secretion (P < .02). Addition of anti–IL-11 or anti–IL-4 antibodies reversed the results, which did not significantly differ from control samples. Addition of DCs (B), did not change the pattern of type-2 cytokine production following incubation with IL-11, as can be seen from the decrease in IFN-γ production (P < .05 with respect to controls) and increase in IL-4 (P < .03). Again, anti–IL-11 or anti–IL-4 antibodies reversed the results. *P < .05.