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Interleukin-15 promotes angiogenesis in vivo
A L Angiolillo1, H Kanegane, C Sgadari
1Department of Hematology/Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 7, 1997
Summary
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) stimulates new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) in vivo. This cytokine also interacts with endothelial cells, revealing a novel role beyond the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a cytokine structurally and functionally similar to IL-2.
- IL-15 signals through shared beta and gamma chains of the IL-2/15 receptor and its unique alpha chain.
- IL-15 exhibits high-affinity binding to endothelial cells, differentiating it from IL-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IL-15 in angiogenesis.
- To determine if IL-15 influences endothelial cells directly.
- To elucidate novel biological functions of IL-15 outside the immune system.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous injection of IL-15 into nude mice.
- Assessment of neovascularization in Matrigel plugs.
- Analysis of IL-15 receptor expression on endothelial cells.
- Evaluation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and cell proliferation in endothelial cells stimulated by IL-15.
Main Results:
- IL-15 demonstrated consistent induction of neovascularization in vivo.
- Endothelial cells express all necessary chains (IL-15R alpha, IL-2/15R beta, common gamma) for IL-15 binding.
- IL-15 triggered rapid protein tyrosine phosphorylation in endothelial cells.
- IL-15 did not induce endothelial cell proliferation in vitro.
Conclusions:
- IL-15 is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis.
- Endothelial cells are direct targets of IL-15 signaling.
- IL-15 possesses significant biological activities beyond its established immune functions.