IL-4R expression in AIDS-KS cells and response to rhIL-4 and IL-4 toxin (DAB389-IL-4).

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine affecting growth and differentiation of various cell types as well as regulating other cytokines. To study the effect of IL-4 on AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS) cells, we first examined the tumor cells for IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) expression. KS cells express a single 4 kB IL-4R-specific mRNA and 1828 +/- 408 high affinity IL-4 binding sites per cell with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 154 +/- 37 pM. Addition of recombinant human IL-4 (rIL-4) minimally inhibited AIDS-KS cell growth and expression of IL-6. We then studied the effects of a chimeric fusion toxin DAB389-IL-4 which exerts cellular toxicity only on cells expressing IL-4R. DAB389-IL-4 inhibited protein synthesis in AIDS-KS cells at low concentrations (IC50 of 5 x 10(-11) M). This effect was abrogated by neutralizing antibody to IL-4 (25D2). We conclude that KS cells express a functional IL-4R and this receptor could serve as a target for novel therapy with agents such as DAB389-IL-4.