title: Cytokine regulation of IL-12 receptor beta2 expression: differential effects on human T and NK cells.
abstract: The biological activities of IL-12 are mediated through a specific, high-affinity receptor composed of IL-12 receptor(R)beta1 and IL-12Rbeta2 subunits that exist primarily on T and NK cells. Remarkably, the expression of IL-12Rbeta2 on CD4(+) T cells in mouse and humans appears to be differentially regulated by IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha, respectively. Using an antibody specific for the human IL-12Rbeta2 subunit, the effect of IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-12 and IL-2 on the regulation of IL-12R expression and IL-12 responsiveness of human T and NK cells was assessed. The presence of IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma in cultures enhanced IL-12Rbeta2 expression of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. The enhancing effect of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma was independent of endogenous IL-12. Furthermore, the clearest effects of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on IL-12Rbeta2 expression on T cells were seen by abrograting the inhibition induced by the presence of IL-4 in cultures. In contrast to T cells, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma had little effect on regulating IL-12Rbeta2 expression on human NK cells. Taken together, these data show that there is differential regulation of IL-12Rbeta2 expression by IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on human T and NK cells.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gadina
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010766:Phosphorylation; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C508438:IL12RB1 protein, human; C508439:IL12RB2 protein, human; C508440:Il12rb1 protein, mouse; C508443:Il12rb2 protein, mouse; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12