IL-4 regulates chemokine production induced by TNF-α in keratocytes and corneal epithelial cells
- Yoji Takanoa,
- Kazumi Fukagawab,
- Shigeto Shimmuraa,
- Kazuo Tsubotaa,
- Yoshihisa Oguchic,
- Hirohisa Saitob
- aDepartment of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan, bDivision of Allergy, National Children’s Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan, cDepartment of Ophthalmology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Yoji Takano, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, 5-11-13, Sugano, Ichikawa, Chiba 272–8513, Japan.
- Accepted 24 May 1999
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eosinophils are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of corneal lesions in ocular allergies. The regulation of chemokine production in corneal cells by the Th2 cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4), was examined in order to investigate its role in ocular allergies.
METHODS Pure cultures of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were exposed to tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and/or IL-4. 24 hours after exposure, culture supernatants were removed and concentrations of IL-8 and RANTES were quantified by ELISA assay.
RESULTS Simultaneous addition of IL-4 inhibited TNF-α induced IL-8 production in both corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes. TNF-α and IL-4 synergistically stimulated the production of RANTES in keratocytes.
CONCLUSION Differential regulation of chemokine production from corneal cells by IL-4 may play a role in the selective recruitment of predominantly eosinophils to the ocular surface in ocular allergies.
