Synergistic induction of interleukin 2 receptor (TAC) expression on YT cells by interleukin 1 or tumor necrosis factor alpha in combination with cAMP inducing agents

This study demonstrates synergistic effects on Tac expression by interleukin 1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in combination with the adenylate cyclase stimulator, forskolin (FK), as well as by IL-1 with TNF alpha in the human NK-like leukemic cell line YT. The maximal expression level (greater than 80% positive cells) obtained with FK plus IL-1 or FK plus TNF alpha could not be obtained by increasing the concentration of either agent alone. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Tac protein expression is correlated with increased steady-state Tac mRNA levels. Other agents that increase intracellular cAMP, such as prostaglandin E (PGE) or isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX), also synergized with IL-1 or TNF alpha (but not with FK). The findings suggest that cAMP plays a role in regulating Tac expression in YT cells, and that IL-1, TNF, and FK use distinct signal transduction mechanisms, all resulting in the same end point effect, namely, induction of Tac mRNA and cell surface protein expression.