Release of IL-1 and IL-2 and expression of IL-2 receptors as a function of postnatal age and sex.
Release patterns of the mitogen-induced cytokines IL-1 and IL2 by Long Evans rat unfractionated spleen cells, as well as expression of IL-2R on such cells at different postnatal days (neonatal to adult) were studied for female and male rats. IL-1 release was found to be low but in a more or less steady fashion in cells of both sexes over the entire period. However, IL-2 synthesis increased from an almost undetectable level up to a significant secretion at the time of weaning and continued to increase in female but not male spleen cells. IL-2 receptors were found to be expressed in moderate amounts already at early postnatal days and up to weaning. Thereafter, the synthesis of IL-2R followed a course essentially similar to that of IL-2, i.e. higher for female than for male cells. In the female rats, a hormonal influence was observed on the formation of IL-1 and IL-2 but not on the expression of IL-2R.
Ramseier
H
H
Dept. Pathology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Lichtensteiger
W
W
Schweidler
R
R
Schlumpf
M
M
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2