Beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation augments the IL-4-induced CD23 expression and release and the expression of differentiation markers (CD14, CD18) by the human monocytic cell line, U 937.

The effect of beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists and interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the CD23 expression on, and release from, the human promonocytic cell line, U 937, was investigated. As assessed by flow cytometry, incubation of U 937 cells in the presence of salbutamol, fenoterol or IL-4 induced a concentration- and time-dependent increase in CD23 expression, that was maximal after 48 hr and followed by a decrease thereafter. In addition, salbutamol potentiated the effect of IL-4, the optimal concentration of the drug being a function of the concentration of this cytokine. This synergy between IL-4 and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists was also observed for the release of the soluble form of CD23. The effect on CD23 expression of salbutamol and fenoterol, but not of IL-4, was blocked in the presence of D,L-propranolol (1 microM) or butoxamine (1 microM). The alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, norepinephrine (1 microM), was ineffective in inducing CD23 expression or potentiating the one evoked by IL-4. Salbutamol down-regulated the expression of Fc gamma RI (CD64) and Fc gamma RII (CD32) whereas IL-4 was ineffective. Only when added together at the onset of the culture did salbutamol and IL-4 induce, after 48 hr, the expression of the monocyte marker, CD14. The expression of CD18 was up-regulated in response to salbutamol either alone or in combination with IL-4, this cytokine alone being inefficient. These data suggest that IL-4 and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists induce differentiation of U 937 cells into monocyte-like cells.