Department of Medicine, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its two G protein-coupled receptors, VPAC1 and VPAC2, are quantitatively prominent and functionally critical in the immune system. Transgenic (T) mice constitutively expressing VPAC2 selectively in CD4 T cells, at levels higher than those found after maximal induction in CD4 T cells of wild-type (N) mice, have elevated blood concentrations of IgE, IgG1, and eosinophils; enhanced immediate-type hypersensitivity; and reduced delayed-type hypersensitivity. In contrast, VPAC2-null (K) mice manifest decreased immediate-type hypersensitivity and enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity. The phenotypes are attributable to opposite skewing of the Th2/Th1 cytokine ratio, but no studies were conducted on the roles of T cell-derived VIP and altered expansion of the Th subsets. Dependence of the Th phenotype of T mice, but not of N or K mice, on T cell-derived VIP now is proven by showing that eliminating VIP from TCR-stimulated T cell cultures with VIPase IgG normalizes the elevated number of IL-4-secreting CD4 T cells, decreases the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10, and increases the secretion of IFN-gamma. Flexible responsiveness of CD4 T cells from N and K mice, but not T mice, to exogenous VIP in vitro and in vivo is shown by increased numbers of IL-4-secreting CD4 T cells, greater secretion of IL-4 and IL-10, and lesser secretion of IFN-gamma after TCR stimulation with VIP. The level of VIP recognized by CD4 T cells thus is a major determinant of the relative contributions of Th subsets to the immune effector phenotype.