title: IL-4-dependent up-regulation of IL-4 receptor expression in murine T and B cells.
abstract: This study examined mRNA levels and cell surface expression of IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) in murine T and B cells after incubation with IL-4. Northern blot analysis of mRNA levels of T cells isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen revealed that IL-4 induced a transient augmentation of IL-4R mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal levels of mRNA were detected as early as 5 h after initiation of culture. These data were complemented by studies examining the cell surface expression of IL-4R using an anti-IL-4R mAb. Resting T and B lymphocytes express IL-4R (T greater than B) and incubation of these cells with exogenous IL-4 increased IL-4R expression to a maximum after 24 h. This effect was abolished after addition of anti-IL-4 antibody. Continuous incubation of T cells in the presence of high concentrations of IL-4 resulted in a down-regulation of IL-4R expression. Addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide blocked the induced increases in IL-4R expression, indicating the requirement for de novo protein synthesis. Both the levels of mRNA and cell surface expression of IL-4R were not affected by addition of exogenous IL-2, and IL-4 regulation of IL-4R expression was not influenced by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. These data demonstrate that in T and B cells, IL-4 induces a transient up-regulation of IL-4 mRNA levels that is subsequently reflected in increased numbers of IL-4R displayed on the cell surface. This regulation of IL-4R expression by IL-4 provides an important mechanism for amplification of IL-4-dependent activation pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Renz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domenico
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gelfand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003524:Cyclosporins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D015847:Interleukin-4; D003513:Cycloheximide