IL-1 induces high affinity IL-2 receptor expression of CD4-8- thymocytes.
We investigated the role of cytokines for the growth of CD4-8-thymocytes (double negative thymocytes) (DNT) in vitro and found that IL-1-induced IL-2-dependent proliferation of only the IL-2R-positive DNT subpopulation. The presence of IL-1 during the first 18 h of culture was sufficient for an optimal response and suggested that IL-1 induced DNT differentiation. We could indeed show by RNA dot blot analysis that IL-1 stimulated de novo expression of the p55 chain of the IL-2R thus initiating high affinity IL-2 binding and a proliferative response. Because macrophages and epithelial cells in the thymus produce IL-1 we propose that IL-1 is involved in early events during maturation of immature thymocytes.
Falk
W
W
Institute for Immunology and Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg.
Männel
D N
DN
Darjes
H
H
Krammer
P H
PH
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2