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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
[MEKK2 regulates the production of interleukin 2]
Xu-dong Wei1, Rui-hua Fan, Xing-hu Zhu
1Henan Tumor Hospital, Henan Institute of Hematology, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
Objective:
To study the role of MEKK2 on the production of IL-2 in Jurkat cells stimulated by PHA/anti-CD28 antibody.
Methods:
The MEKK2 and JNK kinase activities were measured in both dominant negative MEKK2 Jurkat (dnMEKK2 Jurkat) cells and parental Jurkat cells. The AP(1) and IL-2 promotor activities were measured by luciferase activity assay. The IL-2 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.
Results:
After stimulation by PHA/anti-CD28, JNK was activated in parental Jurkat cells but not in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells. The luciferase report gene activities of AP1 and IL-2 promotors were increased by 4- and 5-folds in parental cells whereas only by 1 fold in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells. The level of IL-2 mRNA and IL-2 protein were increased in parental Jurkat cells but not in dnMEKK2 Jurkat cells.
Conclusion:
MEKK2 plays an important role on the production of IL-2 in Jurkat cell stimulated with PHA/anti-CD28 antibody. It is a potential drug target for the treatment of GVHD and autoimmune disease.
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