Ity influences the production of IFN-γ by murine splenocytes stimulated in vitro with Salmonella typhimurium

The Ity-Lsh-Bcg genetic locus in the mouse has been documented to confer innate resistance to at least three intracellular pathogens: Salmonella typhimurium, Leishmania donovani, and Mycobacterium. Expression of the resistance gene(s) results in a slower net growth of these pathogens in the reticuloendothelial system early postinfection. Although it is clear that the resident macrophages in resistant mice are functionally superior with regard to antimicrobial activity, the exact mechanism(s) underlying the control exerted by this gene is not understood. Using S. typhimurium infection as a model, we have examined the influence of this resistance gene(s) on the production of IFN-γ, a cytokine known to play an important role in host-defense against several intracellular pathogens. We compared IFN-γ production by splenocytes from resistant (Ity^r) and sensitive (Ity^s) inbred mouse strains after stimulation in vitro with S. typhimurium. Spleen cells from Ity^r mouse strains produced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ when compared to spleen cells obtained from Ity^s mouse strains. Enhanced IFN-γ production was not a generalized response to bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes induced comparable levels of IFN-γ production from both Ity^r (CBA/J) and Ity^s (C57BL/6) mice. Splenocytes from Ity congenic mouse strains displayed similar differences in the level of IFN-γ produced after S. typhimurium stimulation, with spleen cells from the Ity^r strain producing significantly higher levels of IFN-γ when compared to spleen cells from the Ity^s strain. A requirement for adherent cells and/or adherent cell-derived factors has been documented for IFN-γ production by S. typhimurium-stimulated splenocytes. Interestingly, supernatant from adherent cells obtained from Ity^r mouse strains was found to induce the production of significantly higher levels of IFN-γ when compared to adherent cell supernatant from Ity^s strains. Nylon wool nonadherent cells from Ity^s mouse strains produced high levels of IFN-γ when exposed to supernatants obtained from adherent cells of Ity^r mouse strains. In contrast, nylon wool nonadherent cells from Ity^r mouse strains produced reduced levels of IFN-γ when exposed to supernatant obtained from adherent cells of Ity^s mouse strains. Thus, modulation of IFN-γ production appears to be a function of the Ity^r gene(s). This study documents for the first time that the Ity locus may play a role in controlling resistance to Salmonella infection by regulating IFN-γ production by NK cells.