Interleukin-4 downregulates the p70 chain of the IL-2 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Data that support a differential regulation of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha-(p55 or Tac) and beta-chain (p70) expression by IL-4 are presented. Cytofluorometric analysis performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, some of which had been nylon wool passed (enriched for T-cells), in the presence or absence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or OKT3, demonstrated that IL-4 has a dose-dependent capacity to inhibit beta-chain IL-2R expression, whereas the alpha-chain is nearly unaffected. We could also, as a consequence of the decreased p70 expression, detect a slight increase in the amounts of IL-2 obtained from PHA-stimulated cultures, when IL-4 was present. Further, the proliferative response, especially to IL-2, but also to PHA alone, was depressed in the presence of IL-4. These data thus give further support to the idea that not only the IL-2R complex as such, but also the two individual IL-2R chains, can be independently regulated.
Lindqvist
C
C
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
Nihlmark
E L
EL
Nordström
T
T
Andersson
L C
LC
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4