[MEKK2 regulates the production of interleukin 2].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of MEKK2 on the production of IL-2 in Jurkat cells stimulated by PHA/anti-CD28 antibody.


METHODS
The MEKK2 and JNK kinase activities were measured in both dominant negative MEKK2 Jurkat (dnMEKK2 Jurkat) cells and parental Jurkat cells. The AP(1) and IL-2 promotor activities were measured by luciferase activity assay. The IL-2 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.


RESULTS
After stimulation by PHA/anti-CD28, JNK was activated in parental Jurkat cells but not in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells. The luciferase report gene activities of AP1 and IL-2 promotors were increased by 4- and 5-folds in parental cells whereas only by 1 fold in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells. The level of IL-2 mRNA and IL-2 protein were increased in parental Jurkat cells but not in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells.


CONCLUSIONS
MEKK2 plays an important role on the production of IL-2 in Jurkat cell stimulated with PHA/anti-CD28 antibody. It is a potential drug target for the treatment of GVHD and autoimmune disease.
Wei
Xu-dong
XD
Henan Tumor Hospital, Henan Institute of Hematology, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
Fan
Rui-hua
RH
Zhu
Xing-hu
XH
Li
Yu-fu
YF
Zhang
Yan-li
YL
Gao
Quan-li
QL
Liu
Yan-yan
YY
Wang
Ping
P
Song
Yong-ping
YP
D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D048730:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D048730:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 2; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4