Development and proliferation of lymphocytes in mice deficient for both interleukins-2 and -4.
Interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 are considered as important regulators of growth and differentiation of lymphocytes. We report that in mice made deficient for both IL-2 and IL-4 by gene targeting all major T cell subsets and B cells were normal, indicating that IL-2 and IL-4 are not essential for development of the immune system. Paradoxically, proliferation of T cells was increased in both IL-2 and IL-4-deficient homozygous mice.
Sadlack
B
B
Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, FRG.
Kühn
R
R
Schorle
H
H
Rajewsky
K
K
Müller
W
W
Horak
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000254:growth & development; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000254:growth & development; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens