title: Astrocytes of the brain synthesize interleukin 3-like factors.
abstract: Interleukin 3 (IL 3) is produced by T lymphocytes and T cell lines, as well as by a myelomonocytic cell line (WEHI-3), and it activates lymphocytes and mast cells, as well as macrophages. Recently we have demonstrated that astrocytes act as immune accessory cells through the secretion of interleukin 1 and the presentation of antigens to T lymphocytes. Here we show that cultured astrocytes from newborn mice release a 30,000 m.w. factor that induces the expression of 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in nu/nu spleen cells and the proliferation of the IL 3-dependent cell line 32DCL. An analogous biological activity was detected in supernatant of cultured rat C6 glioma cells. Production of IL 3-like factors by astrocytes of the central nervous system may be essential for development and maintenance of hemo and lymphopoietic cells within inflammatory brain lesions.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005910:Glioma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007377:Interleukin-3; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008819:Mice, Nude; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007377:Interleukin-3; D008222:Lymphokines; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C019189:12 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase