Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice

Th17 Inflammation Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice

Published on: February 18, 2015

Function associated with IL-2 receptor-beta on human neutrophils. Mechanism of activation of antifungal activity

J Y Djeu¹, J H Liu, S Wei

¹H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)

|February 1, 1993

Abstract:

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are essential components of the host defense system against a wide variety of pathogens. We report here the novel finding that freshly isolated human PMN constitutively express detectable surface levels of IL-2R beta, but not IL-2R alpha, as analyzed by flow cytometry. Northern blot analysis confirmed the constitutive expression of mRNA for IL-2R beta in PMN. Scatchard analysis using 125I-labeled IL-2 demonstrated the presence of approximately 600 intermediate binding IL-2R per PMN, with a dissociation constant of 1.1 x 10(-9) M, similar to that of IL-2 binding to YT-1 tumor cells that specifically express IL-2R beta. More importantly, PMN were able to respond functionally to IL-2 by enhanced growth-inhibitory activity against an opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. IL-2 activation of antifungal activity was dose-dependent, with some functional activation detected at 1 U/ml of rIL-2 and maximal activation at 1000 U/ml. The action of IL-2 was rapid, with maximal PMN activation after 30-min incubation with IL-2. The IL-2 enhancement of antifungal activity could be blocked by a specific antibody against IL-2R beta, but not by anti-IL-2R alpha. Analysis of the mechanism of IL-2 activation of PMN indicated that oxidative metabolism, as measured by superoxide anion production, was not involved. Instead, PMN release of lactoferrin appeared to be responsible for the heightened activity against C. albicans in IL-2-treated PMN. Not only was lactoferrin detected in the supernatants of IL-2-treated PMN, but also the antifungal activity of PMN activated by IL-2 could be blocked in the presence of antilactoferrin. These results, taken together, indicate that normal PMN are capable of functionally responding to IL-2 via expression of the IL-2R beta chain.

Insights

Human neutrophils (PMN) express IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2R beta) and respond to IL-2. This IL-2 activation enhances PMN

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Host Defense Mechanisms

Background:

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are critical for host defense against pathogens.
The role of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) in neutrophil function is not fully understood.
Investigating IL-2 receptor expression on PMN is key to understanding their response to IL-2.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine if human PMN express Interleukin-2 Receptors (IL-2R).
To investigate the functional response of PMN to IL-2 stimulation.
To elucidate the mechanism by which IL-2 modulates PMN activity against Candida albicans.

Main Methods:

Flow cytometry and Northern blot analysis to detect IL-2R alpha and beta expression on human PMN.
Scatchard analysis using radiolabeled IL-2 to quantify IL-2R binding.
Assays measuring PMN growth-inhibitory activity against Candida albicans, superoxide anion production, and lactoferrin release.

Main Results:

Freshly isolated human PMN constitutively express IL-2R beta, but not IL-2R alpha, at the cell surface and mRNA level.
Approximately 600 IL-2R per PMN were identified, with high affinity for IL-2.
IL-2 significantly enhanced PMN's antifungal activity against Candida albicans in a dose- and time-dependent manner, mediated by lactoferrin release, not oxidative metabolism.

Conclusions:

Human PMN possess functional IL-2 receptors (IL-2R beta).
IL-2 enhances PMN's antifungal capacity, primarily through lactoferrin secretion.
This finding reveals a novel mechanism for IL-2-mediated immune response involving neutrophils.

Read full analysis

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the In vivo Antitumor Activity of Polyanhydride IL-1α Nanoparticles

Evaluation of the In vivo Antitumor Activity of Polyanhydride IL-1α Nanoparticles

Published on: June 28, 2021

Isolation of Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells from Mouse Nasal Mucosa to Detect the Expression of CD226

Isolation of Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells from Mouse Nasal Mucosa to Detect the Expression of CD226

Published on: May 10, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

T Cell Types and Functions

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

BRCA2 deficiency increases sensitivity of medulloblastoma to Olaparib by inhibiting RAD51-mediated DNA damage repair system.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico·2022

Serum levels of the immunomodulatory protein, the progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) which is found in high levels during pregnancy is not higher in women with progesterone (P) receptor (R) positive vs. negative breast cancer.

Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology·2018

SmgGDS is a transient nucleolar protein that protects cells from nucleolar stress and promotes the cell cycle by regulating DREAM complex gene expression.

Oncogene·2017

The mRNA-binding protein HuR promotes hypoxia-induced chemoresistance through posttranscriptional regulation of the proto-oncogene PIM1 in pancreatic cancer cells.

Oncogene·2015

Steroid induction of therapy-resistant cytokeratin-5-positive cells in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer through a BCL6-dependent mechanism.

Oncogene·2015

Prolactin suppresses a progestin-induced CK5-positive cell population in luminal breast cancer through inhibition of progestin-driven BCL6 expression.

Oncogene·2013

See all related articles