[Effects of mitogens on the expression of interleukin-2 receptor and the cytotoxicity of human monocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of mitogens on the expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and the cytotoxicity of human monocytes.


METHODS
The effects of mitogens on the regulation of the expression of IL-2R alpha chain and the cytotoxicity of human monocytes were investigated.


RESULTS
Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced the expression of IL-2R alpha chain on human monocytes at 24h- and 48h-culture, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) did the same only at 48h-culture, while concanavalin (ConA) did not. After pretreatment with these mitogens, the addition of IL-2 enhanced cytotoxicity of monocytes only in those with IL-2R expression. The highest IL-2 induced cytotoxicity of monocytes was found in those pretreated with PWM. Flow cytometry showed that PWM bound to the surfaces of both monocytes and U937 target cells. The addition of IL-2 induced apoptosis of PWM-pretreated U937 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-2 enhanced monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and target cell apoptosis, which could be augmented by mitogen induced IL-2R expression on monocytes.
Chen
J
J
Department of Rheumatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023.
Dong
H
H
D000328:Adult; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D029604:Phytolacca americana / Q000737:chemistry; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008934:Mitogens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2