Murine interleukin-4 displays potent anti-tumor activity in vivo.

Abstract

We have devised a sensitive means to assess the anti-tumor effect of cytokines that act via the mobilization of host-mediated defenses. This assay involves transfecting malignant cells to produce a specific cytokine (in this case, IL-4) and measuring the ability of transfectants to form tumors alone and when mixed with a variety of nontransfected tumor cells. In this way, we have identified a potent, non-cell autonomous, anti-tumor effect of IL-4 which is effective against a wide range of tumor cell types in vivo. The effect is reversed by anti-IL-4 antibody, correlates closely with levels of IL-4 production, and is evident in nu/nu mice. The anti-tumor effect seems to be mediated by an inflammatory infiltrate composed of eosinophils and macrophages.

• Authors: R I Tepper, P K Pattengale, P Leder
• Journal: Cell (Cell) Vol. 57 Issue 3 Pg. 503-12 (May 05 1989) ISSN: 0092-8674 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2785856 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Interleukins
• Interleukin-4

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Animals
• Antibodies (immunology)
• Antineoplastic Agents (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Interleukin-4
• Interleukins (genetics, metabolism, physiology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Neoplasm Transplantation
• Plasmacytoma (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Transfection
• Tumor Cells, Cultured