Interleukin 15 is a growth factor for human thymocytes with preferential effect on CD8(+)cells.
The effects of IL-15, as compared to IL-2, on growth of human thymocytes has been evaluated. Expression of comparable amounts of receptor chains was found on IL-2 and IL-15 cultured thymocytes, as well as comparable receptor signalling. However, IL-15 was superior to IL-2 in promoting CD8(+)thymocyte growth, whereas CD4(+)cells proliferated to a higher extent in IL-2 cultures. CD4(+)8(+)and CD4(-)8(-)thymocytes expanded equally well in both culture types.
Thulesen
S
S
Institute of Medical Anatomy Section A, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nielsen
M
M
Petersen
T R
TR
Holst Nissen
M
M
Odum
N
N
Röpke
C
C
D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
C508024:IL15RA protein, human; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2