Forskolin对放射性转化细胞TGF基因及部分癌基因表达的影响

＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ放射性转化细胞经１×１０＾－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ Ｆｏｓｋｏｌｉｎ处理２４ｈ后,ＴＧＦａ,ｃ－ｍｙｃ,ｃ－Ｋ－ｒａｓ基因的ｍＲＮＡ表达下降;ＴＧＦβ,ｃ－ｆｏｓ基因表达无明显变化。非转化细胞经相同条件处理,ＴＧＦａ,ＴＧＦβ,ｃ－ｍｙｃ及ｃ－Ｋ－ｒａｓ基因表达无显著改变。提示：Ｆｏｒｓｋｏｌｉｎ介导的转化细胞的生长抑制作用与ＴＧＦａ,ｃ－ｍｙｃ,ｃ－Ｋ－ｒａｓ基因的转录表达下降有关。     

DMBA、垂体移植诱发性乳腺瘤内172~（Arg－Leu）突变型p53的特性及其与基因重排和扩增关系的研究

ｐ５３最早发现于ＳＶ４０转化的细胞系,后来几乎在所有不同类型的细胞内均检测到这种蛋白质,野生型Ｐ５８是一种有效的肿瘤抑制因子,但突变体ｐ５２可与ｒａｓ－肿瘤基因协同转化体外的腺代细胞,而且在肿瘤发生时常伴随有ｐ５３基因的突变。乳腺癌内,ｐ５３基因的突变率为４０％,并可见到某些肿瘤基因参与癌症的形成过程,暗示ｐ５３基因结构和功能的改变可能与这些基因的重排和扩增有关。本实验选择４种不同年龄的１７２~（Ａｒｇ－Ｌｅｕ）突变型ｐ５３转基因小鼠为受试动物,将同系动物的垂体腺植入小鼠的肾脏后,再以致癌剂ＤＭＢＡ处理,以使动物乳腺内的ｐ５３基因表达和诱导小鼠乳腺癌形成。从乳腺癌小鼠分别摘取乳腺组织,提取ＤＮＡ和ＲＮＡ,以Ｈ－ｒａｓ、ＰＣＮＡ、ＣｙｌｉｎＤ１、ｐ５３基因的ＤＮＡ片段作为特异性核酸探针,进行ＳｏｕｔｈｅｒｍＢｌｏｔｔｉｎｇ和ＮｏｒｔｈｅｒｎＢｌｏｔｔｉｎｇ分析,以检测在突变体Ｐ５３表达的情况下,ＰＣＮＡ、Ｈ－ｒａｓ、ＣｙｉｎＤ１等基因在体内的变化规律。实验发现,在４组不同的受试动物中,其乳腺癌细胞的ＰＣＮＡ和Ｈ－ｒａｓ两种基因发生了基因重排,特征是其ＤＮＡ标本中分别出现了一条很强的额外杂交带,但对照动物乳腺该类     

大鼠催乳素基因真核细胞可表达性质粒的构建及应用研究

７３５ｂｐ的ＰＲＬｃＤＮＡ片段从质粒ＰＲＬ－ＳＰ６５＃１中回收后,用粘性末端连接法将其重组到真核表达载体ｐｃＤＮＡ３上,筛选出正向连接重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３－ＰＲＬＳ和反向连接重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３－ＰＲＬＡＳ。将重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３－ＰＲＬｓ和空载体ｐｃＤＮＡ３分别转入ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞系,用Ｇ４１８筛选出阳性细胞后与未转染的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞在加Ｅ２和不加Ｅ２的情况下,用原位杂交的方法,分别用ＰＲＬｃＤＮＡ探针和原癌基因ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓｃＤＮＡ探针进行检测,未转染的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞在加Ｅ２和不加Ｅ２时都几乎无催乳素基因的表达,同样,转入空载体的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞也无ＰＲＬ的表达,而转入重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３－ＰＲＬＳ的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞则有大量的ＰＲＬ基因的表达,与对照组相比有显著差异（Ｐ＜０．０１）。正常和转入空载体的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞有一定程度的原癌基因ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ的表达,当分别加入Ｅ２和转入重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３－ＰＲＬＳ后,ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞中的ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ基因表达水平都显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。     

双歧杆菌活菌制剂对慢性乙肝病人细胞免疫功能影响的观察

在应用双歧杆菌活菌制剂治疗慢乙肝期间,重点观察了Ｔ细胞亚群（ＣＤ３,ＣＤ４,ＣＤ８）、ＮＫ细胞（ＣＤ（１６））、白细胞介素Ⅱ（ＩＬ－２）分泌细胞、肿瘤坏死因子（ＴＮＦ）等细胞免疫指标治疗前后的动态变化,同时观察了病人血内毒素水平的动态变化和乙肝病毒标志物（ＨＢＶＭ）的改变。结果表明：（１）与对照组比较,双歧杆菌活菌制剂可使慢乙肝病人ＣＤ３＋,ＣＤ４＋数目明显增多,而对ＣＤ８＋细胞数目无明显影响;（２）双歧杆菌活菌制剂可使ＣＡＨ组的ＣＤ１６＋细胞显著增多（ｐ＜０．０５）;使ＣＡＨ组和ＣＰＨ组的ＩＬ－２分泌细胞均有非常显著和显著增加（分别ｐ＜０．０１和ｐ＜０．０５）;（３）ＣＡＨ组病人血中内毒素和ＴＮＦ水平在双歧杆菌活菌制剂治疗后,匀出现非常显著降低（ｐ＜０．０１）;ＣＰＨ组ＴＮＦ水平较对照组无显著变化,但内毒素水平较对照组显著降低（ｐ＜０．０５）;（４）满疗程后（６０天）ＣＡＨ组有６例,ＣＰＨ组有５例ＨＢｅＡｇ阴转（分别为２６．０６％和２５．０％）,而对照组仅２例阴转（１３．３３％）,两治疗组与对照组比较有显著性差异（ｐ＜０．０５）。     

逆转录病毒介导的TNFa基因在胶质瘤细胞系（C6）中的表达及对肿瘤细胞恶性生长的影响

利用逆转录病毒载体ＬＸＳＮ构建了含有完整编码ＴＮＦｃＤＮＡ的重组逆转录病毒质粒ｐＬＸＳＮ－ｔｎｆ,用Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔａｍｉｎｅ将重组质粒导入病毒包装细胞ｐＡ３１７,经Ｇ４１８筛选培养获得抗性克隆,用ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞测定病毒滴度,获得滴度为５×１０５ＣＦＵ／ｍｌ的细胞克隆。利用病毒上清液感染大鼠胶质瘤细胞系Ｃ６,得到Ｇ４１８抗性克隆细胞Ｃ６ｐＬＸＳＮ－ｔｎｆ,经ＰＣＲ检测,ＴＮＦｃＤＮＡ完整地整合在细胞基因组中。测定Ｃ６ｐＬＸＳＮ－ｔｎｆ细胞上清中ＴＮＦ的生物活性,结果显示ＴＮＦ有相对稳定的表达（４８～１８０Ｕ／ｍｌ１０６ｃｅｌｌｓ／２４ｈ）。实验还显示经ＴＮＦ基因转导的Ｃ６ｐＬＸＳＮ－ｔｎｆ细胞生长速度较之亲本肿瘤细胞Ｃ６明显下降,基因修饰后的肿瘤细胞在Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠体内形成肿瘤的能力明显受到抑制。进一步用超离心法浓缩病毒对胶质瘤移植模型进行了体内治疗研究。     

反义RNA对人胃癌细胞生长抑制及恶性表型的阻断作用

ｒａｓ原癌基因的点突变是人胃癌发生发展的重要机理之一。利用能表达ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ癌基因反义ＲＮＡ的质粒,导入人胃癌细胞系ＢＧＣ－８２３,研究了ｒａｓ癌基因反义ＲＮＡ对人胃癌细胞生长及恶性表型的作用,结果表明,ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ反义ＲＮＡ可引起ＢＧＣ－８２３生长速率及形态的变化,在半固体培养基中细胞集落形成能力减弱,部分地抑制了ＢＧＣ－８２３在裸鼠体内的致瘤性。ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ反义ＲＮＡ对其ＲＮＡ的过量表达呈特异性抑制作用。     

反义RNA对人胃癌细胞生长抑制及恶性表型的阻断作用

ｒａｓ原癌基因的点突变是人胃癌发生发展的重要机理之一。利用能表达ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ癌基因反义ＲＮＡ的质粒,导入人胃癌细胞系ＢＧＣ－８２３,研究了ｒａｓ癌基因反义ＲＮＡ对人胃癌细胞生长及恶性表型的作用,结果表明,ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ反义ＲＮＡ可引起ＢＧＣ－８２３生长速率及形态的变化,在半固体培养基中细胞集落形成能力减弱,部分也抑制了ＢＧＣ－８２３在裸鼠体内的致瘤性。ｃ－Ｈ－ｒａｓ反义ＲＮＡ对其ＲＮＡ的过量表达     

p38 MAPK参与LPS诱导RAW细胞TNF—α基因表达的调控

构建ＴＮＦ－α启动子驱动的荧光酶报告基因系统,研究ｐ３８ＭＡＰＫ信号转导系统对ＴＮＦ－α基因表达的影响,ＲＡＷ２６４．７细胞共转染实验发现,ＬＰＳ对ｐ３８的激活作用与其诱导ＴＮＦ－α转录活性的作用显著相关,虽然单纯转染ｐ３８未见明显诱导ＴＮＦ－α报告基因系统的转录活性。     

青春双歧杆菌DM8504菌株对小鼠体内HCa—F25／16A3—F肿瘤细胞 …

本实验应用加热处死的青春双歧杆菌ＤＭ８５０４菌株皮下注射荷瘤ＨＣａ－Ｆ２５／１６Ａ３－Ｆ肿瘤的ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ小鼠,酶联法测定小鼠体内ＴＮＦ－α、ＩＬ－６的含量,ＴＵＮＥＬ法及电镜观察肿瘤组织中是否有凋亡细胞的存在。实验结果指出：双歧杆菌能提高荷瘤小鼠体内ＴＮＦ－２的含量,较对照组明显升高,但ＩＬ－６的含量处理组与对照组之间无显著性差异。ＴＵＮＥＬ法除观察到不同程度的坏死组织外,未见到散在凋亡的肿瘤细     

重组人白细胞介素－6与肿瘤坏死因子突变体融合蛋白的构建及表达

针对肿瘤坏死因子（ＴＮＦ）在肿瘤治疗剂量下产生的严重毒副作用及一些肿瘤细胞上白细胞介素－６（ＩＬ－６）受体明显增高的事实,根据ＴＮＦ结构与功能研究的最新信息,利用ＰＣＲ技术,对人ＴＮＦα基因进行了改造,并将其与人ＩＬ－６成熟肽编码区ｃＤＮＡ通过人工接头进行融合。融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中表达后,Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ分析表明,分子量约为３７ｋＤ;活性检测结果证实,该融合蛋白兼具有ＴＮＦ抗肿瘤活性和结合ＩＬ－６受体的能力,在高表达ＩＬ－６受体的人骨髓瘤细胞上测得的细胞毒活性较同样位点突变的ＴＮＦ高约３倍。     

CD4+ T cell responses to self- and mutated p53 determinants during tumorigenesis in mice

We analyzed CD4+ T helper responses to wild-type (wt) and mutated (mut) p53 protein in normal and tumor-bearing mice. In normal mice, we observed that although some self-p53 determinants induced negative selection of p53-reactive CD4+ T cells, other p53 determinants (cryptic) were immunogenic. Next, BALB/c mice were inoculated with J774 syngeneic tumor cell line expressing mut p53. BALB/c tumor-bearing mice mounted potent CD4+ T cell responses to two formerly cryptic peptides on self-p53. This response was characterized by massive production of IL-5, a Th2-type lymphokine. Interestingly, we found that T cell response was induced by different p53 peptides depending upon the stage of cancer. Mut p53 gene was shown to contain a single mutation resulting in the substitution of a tyrosine by a histidine at position 231 of the protein. Two peptides corresponding to wt and mutated sequences of this region were synthesized. Both peptides bound to the MHC class II-presenting molecule (Ed) with similar affinities. However, only mut p53.225-239 induced T cell responses in normal BALB/c mice, a result strongly suggesting that high-affinity wt p53.225-239 autoreactive T cells had been eliminated in these mice. Surprisingly, CD4+ T cell responses to both mut and wt p53.225-239 peptides were recorded in J774 tumor-bearing mice, a phenomenon attributed to the recruitment of low-avidity p53.225-239 self-reactive T cells.     

Differences in interleukin-12 and -15 production by dendritic cells at the early stage of Listeria monocytogenes infection between BALB/c and C57 BL/6 mice

The mechanisms responsible for the resistance of C57BL/6 mice and for the susceptibility of BALB/c mice to infection with Listeria monocytogenes were studied by comparing early IL-12 and IL-15 production by dendritic cells (DC) after infection with L. monocytogenes. Splenic DC expressing CD11b(low) and CD11c(+) obtained from C57BL/6 mice at 3 and 6 h after L. monocytogenes infection expressed higher levels of IL-12 p40 mRNA and IL-12 p40 protein than did those from BALB/c mice. Concurrently, a larger amount of IFN-gamma was produced by the splenic T cells from C57BL/6 mice in response to immobilized anti-TCRalphabeta mAb than by those from BALB/c mice, while the splenic T cells from BALB/c mice produced a higher level of IL-4 upon TCR alphabeta stimulation than did those of C57BL/6 mice. IL-15 mRNA and intracellular IL-15 protein were detected more abundantly in the DC from C57BL/6 mice than in those from BALB/c mice on day 3 after infection. CD3(+) IL2Rbeta (+) cells in the spleen were increased in C57BL/6 mice but not in BALB/c mice at the early stage after infection. Furthermore, IL-12Rbeta2 gene expression was up-regulated in T cells from C57BL/6 mice but not in those from BALB/c mice at the early stage after listerial infection. These results suggest that the difference in early production of IL-12 and IL-15 by DC may at least partly underlie the difference in susceptibility to L. monocytogenes between C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice.     

Expression of mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen accelerates tumorigenicity of myeloma cells

To investigate whether superantigen (SAG) from endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus functions as an immunogenic or a tumorigenic factor in tumor development, the BALB/c myeloma cell line FO was transfected with the SAG gene from the 3' Mtv-50 long terminal repeat (LTR) open reading frame (ORF), the product of which was specific for Vbeta6. All five transfectants expressing Mtv-50 LTR ORF mRNA showed stimulatory activity for Vbeta6 T-cell hybridomas in vitro; this activity was inhibited by the addition of anti-Mtv-7 monoclonal antibody (MAb) or anti-major histocompatibility complex class II I-A(d) and I-E(d) MAb. All transfectants with the SAG gene grew more rapidly than did mock transfectants in BALB/c mice after subcutaneous inoculation, whereas all clones, including mock transfectants, grew equally well in athymic nude mice. A significant fraction of Vbeta6 T cells selectively expressed activation markers, including CD44(high), CD62L(low), and CD69(high), and produced large amounts of interleukin 5 (IL-5) and IL-6 in BALB/c mice inoculated with transfectants. These results suggested that the expression of viral SAG enhances the tumorigenicity of a myeloma cell line through the stimulation of SAG-reactive T cells.     

GFP转基因裸鼠脾脏组织学观察

目的探讨GFP基因导入对BALB/c荧光裸鼠脾脏组织学及免疫功能的影响。方法取不同日龄（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）BALB/c荧光裸鼠及BALB/c普通裸鼠各32只,雌雄各半,处死取脾脏,对脾脏的绝对重量、脾脏指数进行测量分析,对脾脏的组织学改变进行观察,并对脾脏淋巴细胞数进行统计分析。结果与14日龄荧光裸鼠相比,28日龄荧光裸鼠脾脏指数明显较高（P〈0.05）。与14日龄荧光裸鼠相比,49日龄、70日龄荧光裸鼠淋巴细胞数明显变少（P〈0.05）。与普通裸鼠（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）相比较,相同日龄荧光裸鼠（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）淋巴细胞数明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论 GFP基因对不同日龄荧光裸鼠的脾脏发育及其功能有一定影响。     

Dendritic cell-derived IL-12p40 homodimer contributes to susceptibility in cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice

Protection against Leishmania major in resistant C57BL/6 mice is mediated by Th1 cells, whereas susceptibility in BALB/c mice is the result of Th2 development. IL-12 release by L. major-infected dendritic cells (DC) is critically involved in differentiation of Th1 cells. Previously, we reported that strain differences in the production of DC-derived factors, e.g., IL-1alphabeta, are in part responsible for disparate disease outcome. In the present study, we analyzed the release of IL-12 from DC in more detail. Stimulated DC from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice released comparable amounts of IL-12p40 and p70. In the absence of IL-4, BALB/c DC produced significantly more IL-12p40 than C57BL/6 DC. Detailed analyses by Western blot and ELISA revealed that one-tenth of IL-12p40 detected in DC supernatants was released as the IL-12 antagonist IL-12p40 homodimer (IL-12p80). BALB/c DC released approximately 2-fold more IL-12p80 than C57BL/6 DC both in vitro and in vivo. Local injection of IL-12p80 during the first 3 days after infection resulted in increased lesion volumes for several weeks in both L. major-infected BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, in higher lesional parasite burdens, and decreased Th1-cytokine production. Finally, IL-12p40-transgenic C57BL/6 mice characterized by overexpression of p40 showed increased levels of serum IL-12p80 and enhanced disease susceptibility. Thus, in addition to IL-1alphabeta, strain-dependent differences in the release of other DC-derived factors such as IL-12p80 may influence genetically determined disease outcome.     

Prolonged, NK cell-mediated antitumor effects of suicide gene therapy combined with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 against hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor recurrence rates remain high after curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immunomodulatory agents, including chemokines, are believed to enhance the antitumor effects of tumor cell apoptosis induced by suicide gene therapy. We therefore evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of a bicistronic recombinant adenovirus vector (rAd) expressing both HSV thymidine kinase and MCP-1 on HCC cells. Using an athymic nude mouse model (BALB/c-nu/nu), primary s.c. tumors (HuH7; human HCC cells) were completely eradicated by rAd followed by treatment with ganciclovir. The same animals were subsequently rechallenged with HCC cells, tumor development was monitored, and the recruitment or activation of NK cells was analyzed immunohistochemically or by measuring IFN-gamma mRNA expression. Tumor growth was markedly suppressed as compared with that in mice treated with a rAd expressing the HSV thymidine kinase gene alone (p < 0.001). Suppression of tumor growth was associated with the elevation of serum IL-12 and IL-18. During suppression, NK cells were recruited exclusively, and Th1 cytokine gene expression was enhanced in tumor tissues. The antitumor activity, however, was abolished either when the NK cells were inactivated with anti-asialo GM1 Ab or when anti-IL-12 and anti-IL-18 Abs were administered. These results indicate that suicide gene therapy, together with delivery of MCP-1, eradicates HCC cells and exerts prolonged NK cell-mediated antitumor effects in a model of HCC, suggesting a plausible strategy to prevent tumor recurrence.     

FXR激动剂GW4064对裸鼠肝癌细胞移植瘤增殖及血管生成的影响

目的:探讨研究法尼酯x受体(FXR)激动剂GW4064对裸鼠肝癌细胞移植瘤增殖及血管生成的影响。方法:选取人肝癌细胞系Hep G2进行体外培养,将细胞悬液接种于BALB/c裸鼠皮下。裸鼠成瘤后,随机分为两组,分别腹腔注射DMSO和GW4064。一周后,处死动物取肿瘤组织,通过免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤组织中Ki-67和CD31的表达,同时计数肿瘤组织中的微血管密度(CD31-MVD);Western blot法检测其FXR和白介素-8(IL-8)的蛋白表达。结果:与对照组相比,FXR激动剂GW4064处理组的肿瘤组织中FXR的蛋白表达量明显增高,微血管密度CD31-MVD值显著降低,同时Ki-67、IL-8及CD31的表达水平均显著降低。结论:FXR激动剂GW4064能显著增加FXR的表达,抑制裸鼠肝癌细胞移植瘤的增殖及新生血管的形成。     

Sodium stibogluconate interacts with IL-2 in anti-Renca tumor action via a T cell-dependent mechanism in connection with induction of tumor-infiltrating macrophages

IL-2 therapy results in 10-20% response rates in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) via activating immune cells, in which the protein tyrosine phosphatase Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) is a key negative regulator. Based on finding that sodium stibogluconate (SSG) inhibited SHP-1, the anti-RCC potential and action mechanism of SSG and SSG/IL-2 in combination were investigated in a murine renal cancer model (Renca). Despite its failure to inhibit Renca cell proliferation in cultures, SSG induced 61% growth inhibition of Renca tumors in BALB/c mice coincident with an increase (2-fold) in tumor-infiltrating macrophages (Mphi). A combination of SSG and IL-2 was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth (91%) and inducing tumor-infiltrating Mphi (4-fold), whereas IL-2 alone had little effect. Mphi increases were also detected in the spleens of mice treated with SSG (3-fold) or SSG/IL-2 in combination (6-fold), suggesting a systemic Mphi expansion similar to those in SHP-deficient mice. T cell involvement in the anti-Renca tumor action of the combination was suggested by the observations that the treatment induced spleen IFN-gamma T cells in BALB/c mice, but failed to inhibit Renca tumor growth in athymic nude mice and that SSG treatment of T cells in vitro increased production of IFN-gamma capable of activating tumoricidal Mphi. The SSG and SSG/IL-2 combination treatments were tolerated in the mice. These results together demonstrate an anti-Renca tumor activity of SSG that was enhanced in combination with IL-2 and functions via a T cell-dependent mechanism with increased IFN-gamma production and expansion/activation of Mphi. Our findings suggest that SSG might improve anti-RCC efficacy of IL-2 therapy by enhancing antitumor immunity.     

Sensitivity difference to the suppressive effect of prostaglandin E2 among mouse strains: a possible mechanism to polarize Th2 type response in BALB/c mice

PGE2 has been shown to play a prominent role in regulating Th1 and Th2 type responses. We studied the role of PGE2 in IFN-gamma production by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-stimulated spleen cells from several mouse strains such as BALB/c, C3H/HeN, and C57BL/6. When spleen cells were pretreated with indomethacin (cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitor) or NS-398 (COX-2-specific inhibitor), S. aureus Cowan I -induced IFN-gamma production was increased more markedly in spleen cells from BALB/c mice than from C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mouse. However, PGE2 production was not significantly different among spleen cells from three mouse strains. When various concentrations of PGE2 were exogeneously added to spleen cells, PGE2 showed a stronger suppressive effect on IFN-gamma production in spleen cells from BALB/c mice than from other strains of mice. This suppressive effect of PGE2 in BALB/c mice mainly depended on IL-12p70 production by APCs. More PGE2 binding sites were found in BALB/c spleen cells than in C3H/HeN spleen cells, indicating that the sensitivity difference to the suppressive effect of PGE2 was due to the difference of the number of PGE2 receptors. The administration of NS-398 into BALB/c mice enhanced Ag-specific IFN-gamma production, but not IL-4 production. This effect is the same as IL-12 administration in vivo. From these results, we propose that the modulation of PGE2 is important for Th1 activation via IFN-gamma and IL-12p70 production in vitro and in vivo and that PGE2 is one of the pivotal factors in the Th2-dominant immune response in BALB/c mice.