The induction of cell-associated and secreted IL-1 by iscoms, matrix or micelles in murine splenic cells.

The kinetics of the expression of membrane-associated IL-1 (mIL-1) and soluble IL-1 (sIL-1) was studied in in vitro stimulated spleen cells from non-primed mice or from mice primed with influenza virus antigens incorporated in the immuno-stimulating complexes (iscoms) or as micelles. Matrix, which is the carrier structure for the antigens in the iscom, was used as a non-antigen stimulus. The IL-1 produced was assayed in an IL-1-dependent cell line and the specificity was demonstrated in a blocking experiment with antiserum to IL-1 alpha. Soluble IL-1 alpha was also quantified in ELISA. Iscoms and matrix induced production of mIL-1 and sIL-1 in cultures from non-treated mice as well as from mice primed 4 days before with iscoms or micelles. Micelles were a less strong stimulus and did not induce production of sIL-1. Micelles induced production of mIL-1 in cultures from non-primed mice or from mice which were recently immunized with micelles. No mIL-1 expression was induced by micelles if the spleen cells originated from mice immunized shortly before with iscoms. Depletion experiments demonstrated that sIL-1 was produced by adherent cells upon stimulation with iscoms or matrix. However, factor(s) from the non-adherent cells seem to be necessary for optimal secretion of sIL-1.