IL-1 induces high affinity IL-2 receptor expression of CD4-8- thymocytes
Falk, W.; Männel, D.N.; Darjes, H.; Krammer, P.H.
Journal of Immunology 143(2): 513-517
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 2786909 Document Number: 337787
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.