Interleukin 15 is a growth factor for human thymocytes with preferential effect on CD8(+)cells

S Thulesen; M Nielsen; T R Petersen; M Holst Nissen; N Odum; C Röpke

doi:10.1006/cyto.1999.0608

Interleukin 15 is a growth factor for human thymocytes with preferential effect on CD8(+)cells

Cytokine. 2000 Jun;12(6):751-5. doi: 10.1006/cyto.1999.0608.

Authors

S Thulesen¹, M Nielsen, T R Petersen, M Holst Nissen, N Odum, C Röpke

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Medical Anatomy Section A, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

PMID: 10843758
DOI: 10.1006/cyto.1999.0608

Abstract

The effects of IL-15, as compared to IL-2, on growth of human thymocytes has been evaluated. Expression of comparable amounts of receptor chains was found on IL-2 and IL-15 cultured thymocytes, as well as comparable receptor signalling. However, IL-15 was superior to IL-2 in promoting CD8(+)thymocyte growth, whereas CD4(+)cells proliferated to a higher extent in IL-2 cultures. CD4(+)8(+)and CD4(-)8(-)thymocytes expanded equally well in both culture types.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
Cell Division / drug effects
Cells, Cultured
Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
Humans
Interleukin-15 / pharmacology*
Interleukin-2 / pharmacology
Receptors, Interleukin-15
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / genetics
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / physiology
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
T-Lymphocytes / cytology
T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

IL15RA protein, human
Interleukin-15
Interleukin-2
Receptors, Interleukin-15
Receptors, Interleukin-2