IL-1 induces high affinity IL-2 receptor expression of CD4-8- thymocytes |
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Authors: | W Falk D N M?nnel H Darjes P H Krammer |
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Institution: | Institute for Immunology and Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg. |
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Abstract: | We investigated the role of cytokines for the growth of CD4-8-thymocytes (double negative thymocytes) (DNT) in vitro and found that IL-1-induced IL-2-dependent proliferation of only the IL-2R-positive DNT subpopulation. The presence of IL-1 during the first 18 h of culture was sufficient for an optimal response and suggested that IL-1 induced DNT differentiation. We could indeed show by RNA dot blot analysis that IL-1 stimulated de novo expression of the p55 chain of the IL-2R thus initiating high affinity IL-2 binding and a proliferative response. Because macrophages and epithelial cells in the thymus produce IL-1 we propose that IL-1 is involved in early events during maturation of immature thymocytes. |
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