Control of lymphokine expression in T helper 2 cells.
In this report we present evidence that Con A-activated T helper 2 cells transcribe the interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene when cycloheximide is added 3 hr after stimulation. This IL-2 mRNA can be translated into functional protein. However, no steady-state mRNA for gamma-interferon can be detected under the same experimental conditions. Furthermore, when cycloheximide is administered at time 0 of activation, no IL-2 mRNA is seen. Nuclear run-on experiments indicate that IL-2 transcription in T helper 2 cells depends on the presence of cycloheximide. It is likely, therefore, that activation of T helper 2 cells leads to the production of a labile regulatory protein that represses the expression of the IL-2 gene. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanism that governs the differentiation of interleukin 4-producing T helper 2 cells from IL-2-producing precursor cells.
Muñoz
E
E
Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111.
Zubiaga
A
A
Olson
D
D
Huber
B T
BT
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003513:Cycloheximide