A mutant of Escherichia coli enterotoxin inducing a specific Thl-type of T cells to varicella-zoster vaccine enhances the production of IL-12 by IFNγ-stimulated macrophages

A mutant of Escherchia coli enterotoxin induces specific Thl-type T cells to varicella-zoster vaccine. The mutant increased IL-12p40, TNFα and nitric oxide production by IFNγ-stimulated bone marrow macrophages but cholera toxin did not. Anti-TNFα antibodies blocked its stimulation of IL-12p40 production but iNOS inhibitor did not. IL-12p40 and IL-12p35 production was stimulated at the level of mRNA formation by the mutant. Cholera toxin suppressed IL-12β1 expression by spleen T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies but the mutant did not. These findings indicate that the mutant may induce Thl-type response to the vaccine through its IL-12 and TNFα induction by macrophages.