Effect of rapamycin on the expression of the IL-2 receptor (CD25)

The immunosuppressive macrolide rapamycin inhibits cytokine-driven proliferation of lymphocytes, acting at a later stage of T lymphocyte activation than the related compound FK506 or cyclosporin, which block IL-2 transcription. However, the effect of rapamycin on the expression of the IL-2 receptor alpha-chain (CD25) is less well documented. This study has investigated the effect of rapamycin on mRNA levels of CD25 and membrane expression of IL-2 receptor in human primary T lymphocytes activated by various stimuli. Rapamycin surprisingly inhibits CD25 upregulation subsequent to anti-CD3 or ionomycin stimulation. These effects are not secondary to an IL-2-mediated CD25 up-regulation, as rapamycin inhibits neither IL-2 synthesis nor IL-2-induced CD25 mRNA. Interestingly, sensitivity to rapamycin correlates with the requirement of de novo protein synthesis, as demonstrated by anisomycin inhibition of both ionomycin- and CD3-induced CD25 transcription. Thus, rapamycin inhibition of T cell activation may involve not only IL-2-driven proliferation, but also suppression of CD25 up-regulation.