Different response of rat Kupffer cells to lipopolysaccharide after exposure to T-helper cytokines

Effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on rat Kupffer cell (KC) functions were investigated. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated KCs pretreated with IL-4 produced much more prostaglandin E-2 than those pretreated with IFN-gamma. In contrast, LPS-stimulated KCs pretreated with IFN-gamma produced much more tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitrate and nitrite than those pretreated with IL-4. Different morphologic changes were induced after the culture with each cytokine; transformation of KCs into multinucleated giant cells with IL-4 was especially noted. These results suggest that IFN-gamma and IL-4, produced by different subsets of T-helper lymphocytes, differently induce KC into specific morphology, and change KC response to endotoxins, possibly resulting in a modulation of hepatic inflammation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.