Inhibition of Th1 polarization by soluble TNF receptor is dependent on antigen-presenting cell-derived IL-12

Th1-polarized CD4(+) T cells are considered central to the development of a number of target-directed autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis, The APC-derived cytokine IL-12 is a potent inducer of Th1 polarization in T cells, Inhibition of IL-12 in vivo blocks the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the animal model for multiple sclerosis, Based on previous work that suggests that the production of IL-12 by activated human central nervous system-derived microglia is regulated by autocrine TNF-alpha, we wanted to determine whether inhibition of TNF could induce a reduction of Th1 responses by its impact on systemic APCs. We found that soluble TNFR p75-IgG fusion protein (TNFR:Fc) inhibited production of INF-gamma by allo-Ag-activated blood-derived human CD4 T cells, We documented reduced IL-12 p70 production by APCs in the MLR. By adding back recombinant IL-12, we could rescue IFN-gamma production, indicating that TNFR:Fe acts on APC-derived IL-12, Consistent with an inhibition of the Th1 polarization, we found a decreased expression of IL-12R-beta(2), subunit on the T cells. Furthermore, the capacity of T cells to secrete IFN-gamma upon restimulation when previously treated with TNFR:Fe is impaired, whereas IL-2 secretion was not altered. Our results define a TNF-dependent cytokine network that favors development of Th1 immune responses.