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IL-15 induces unspecific effector functions in human peptide-specific CD8+ T-cell cultures
S T Lyngstrand1, P A Würtzen, N Ødum
1Institute of Medical Anatomy, Department A, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|December 11, 2002
Summary
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) reduces antigen specificity and expansion of influenza matrix peptide (IMP)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). IL-15 promotes the growth of non-specific effector T cells, unlike IL-2.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+ T cells are crucial for combating viral infections.
- Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a key role in adaptive immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-15 (IL-15) on the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of influenza matrix peptide (IMP)-specific CD8+ T cells.
- To investigate the impact of IL-2 and IL-15 on antigen specificity and effector cell markers in primary and secondary CTL cultures.
Main Methods:
- Generation of human CD8+ T-cell lines specific for IMP-pulsed antigen-presenting cells.
- Culture of primary and secondary CTLs with either IL-2 or IL-15.
- Assessment of cell expansion, antigen specificity, CD69 and CD56 expression, and cytotoxic activity.
Main Results:
- IL-15 resulted in reduced cell expansion and antigen specificity compared to IL-2 in both primary and secondary CTL cultures.
- IL-15 favored the outgrowth of CTLs lacking peptide specificity and showed low CD69 expression.
- IL-15-cultured CTLs exhibited cytotoxic activity without CD56 expression, suggesting CD56 is not essential for this function.
Conclusions:
- IL-15 promotes the expansion of non-specific cytotoxic effector T cells, potentially impacting targeted antiviral immunity.
- IL-2 supports the maintenance of antigen-specific CTLs with characteristic effector markers.
- Differential effects of IL-2 and IL-15 highlight their distinct roles in shaping T cell responses.
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