Regulated expression of gp130 and IL-6 receptor alpha chain in T cell maturation and activation.
The functional receptor for the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is composed of the ligand binding IL-6 receptor alpha chain (IL-6R alpha) and the signal transducing chain gp130, which is a shared component of multiple cytokine receptors. We analyzed the surface expression of gp130 and IL-6R alpha in thymocytes and peripheral T cells. While all thymocytes expressed gp130 throughout thymic maturation, they gained expression of IL-6R alpha at the CD4 or CD8 single-positive stage. Approximately 10-30% of the CD4-CD8+ and 40-50% of the CD4+CD8- thymocytes expressed IL-6R alpha. Within the CD4+CD8- population, the IL-6R alpha- subpopulation was cortisone sensitive, appeared immature according to the cell surface markers expressed and failed to proliferate after TCR cross-linking. Peripheral T cells were predominantly gp130+ and IL-6R alpha+, but down-regulated gp130 and IL-6R alpha expression upon TCR engagement in vitro and in vivo. Peripheral gp130low/-IL-6R alphalow/- T cells expressed surface markers characteristic of memory T cells. We show that gp130 and IL-6R alpha are expressed in a regulated manner in T cells, depending on the developmental and functional stage.
Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Germany.
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UA
Betz
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Müller
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003348:Cortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013154:Spleen / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; C494200:Il6st protein, mouse; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C113250:interleukin-6 receptor alpha; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D003348:Cortisone