Human T cells constitutively express IL-15 that promotes ex vivo T cell homeostatic proliferation through autocrine/juxtacrine loops.
Homeostatic proliferation of T cells in vivo is responsible for the maintainance of the T cell pool, and IL-15 is a pivotal cytokine implicated in this process. Known cell sources providing physiologically active IL-15 are monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, and stromal cells. T lymphocyte expression of functionally active IL-15 and its possible role in T cell biology have not been investigated. In this study, we demonstrate that human T cells constitutively express IL-15 that acts through autocrine/juxtacrine loops to promote ex vivo homeostatic T cell proliferation.
Miranda-Carús
María-Eugenia
ME
Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain. eugeniamiranda@telefonica.net
Benito-Miguel
Marta
M
Llamas
Miguel A
MA
Balsa
Alejandro
A
Martín-Mola
Emilio
E
D000328:Adult; D019898:Autocrine Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
C508024:IL15RA protein, human; D019409:Interleukin-15; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2