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Interleukin-2 receptors in infectious mononucleosis
C Schmidt1, K Burman, D J Moss
1Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Laboratory, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Immunology Letters
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Activated T cells in infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients show reduced interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R). This suggests a physiological role for low IL-2R levels in T cell survival during acute IM.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is characterized by T cell activation.
- Activated T cells typically express surface antigens like T10 (CD38) and HLA-DR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R) on activated T cells in acute IM patients.
- To determine the role of IL-2R in T cell survival during acute IM.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometric immunofluorescence to detect Tac antigen (p55) expression.
- Scatchard analysis to quantify specific interleukin-2 (IL-2) binding.
- In vitro culture of T cells to assess survival in the absence of exogenous IL-2.
Main Results:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from acute IM patients showed high expression of T10 (CD38) and HLA-DR.
- Tac antigen (p55) expression on these activated T cells was undetectable.
- Low specific IL-2 binding was observed, indicating down-regulation or loss of IL-2 receptors (IL-2R).
- A significant proportion of T cells died within 24 hours in vitro without IL-2 supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Activated T cells in acute IM exhibit down-regulated or lost IL-2 receptors (IL-2R).
- The observed low IL-2R levels likely play a physiological role in T cell survival during the acute phase of infectious mononucleosis.