Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Scientific Correspondence
  • Published:

Immunosuppressive effects of apoptotic cells

Nature volume 390, pages 350–351 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Apoptotic cell death is important in the development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms1 and is a highly controlled means of eliminating dangerous, damaged or unnecessary cells without causing an inflammatory response or tissue damage1,2. We now show that the presence of apoptotic cells during monocyte activation increases their secretion of the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) and decreases secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1 and IL-12. This may inhibit inflammation and contribute to impaired cell-mediated immunity in conditions associated with increased apoptosis, such as viral infections, pregnancy, cancer and exposure to radiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Modulation of cytokine secretion in LPS-activated PBMC and monocytes by apoptotic cells and anti-CD36 antibodies.

References

  1. Vaux, D. L. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 90, 786–789 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Savill, J., Facok, V., Henson, P. & Haslett, C. Immunol. Today 14, 131–136 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Abel, E. A. Dermatol. Clinics 13, 841–849 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Trott, K. . Strahlenther. Onkol. 170, 1–12 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Savill, J., Hogg, N., Ren, Y. & Haslett, C. J. Clin. Invest. 90, 1513–1522 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Paul, W. E. & Seder, R. A. Cell 76, 241–251 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mosmann, T. R. Adv. Immunol. 56, 1–26 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kang, K., Hammerberger, C., Meunier, L. & Cooper, K. D. J. Immunol. 153, 5256–5264 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Meunier, L., Bata-Csorgo, Z. & Cooper, K. D. J. Invest. Dermatol. 105, 782–788 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Parr, E. L., Tung, H. N. & Parr, M. B. Biol. Reprod. 36, 211–225 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nielsen, H. J. Brit. J. Surg. 82, 582–587 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine III, Institute of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nrnberg, Krankenhausstrasse 12, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Reinhard E. Voll, Martin Herrmann, Edith A. Roth, Christian Stach & Joachim R. Kalden

  2. Institute of Experimental Medicine and Connective Tissue Research, University of Erlangen-Nrnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Irute Girkontaite

Authors
  1. Reinhard E. Voll
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martin Herrmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Edith A. Roth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christian Stach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joachim R. Kalden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Irute Girkontaite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Voll, R., Herrmann, M., Roth, E. et al. Immunosuppressive effects of apoptotic cells. Nature 390, 350–351 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/37022

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/37022

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing