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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Co-Culture of Murine Small Intestine Epithelial Organoids with Innate Lymphoid Cells
Published on: March 23, 2022
Interleukin 2 modulates ion secretion and cell proliferation in cultured human small intestinal enterocytes
E V O'Loughlin1, G P Pang, R Noltorp
1Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Westmead, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. tedo@nch.edu.au
Insights
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) enhances chloride secretion and cell proliferation in human small intestinal cells. This immune signaling molecule activates the IL-2 receptor, impacting cellular functions without affecting barrier integrity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine crucial for immune responses.
- Its role in intestinal epithelial cell function, particularly transport and barrier properties, is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IL-2 on epithelial transport and barrier function in cultured human small intestinal enterocytes.
Main Methods:
- Human small intestinal cells were treated with varying concentrations of IL-2.
- Transport, permeability, and proliferation were measured using Ussing chambers and radiolabeled tracers.
- Expression of IL-2 receptor and CFTR mRNA was analyzed via RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- IL-2 significantly increased cAMP-dependent chloride secretion and cellular proliferation.
- These effects were mediated by the IL-2 receptor and involved STAT signaling.
- IL-2 did not alter intestinal cell permeability or baseline electrical parameters.
Conclusions:
- IL-2 enhances cAMP-stimulated chloride secretion and proliferation in human small intestinal cells.
- The IL-2 receptor is expressed and functional in these cells, mediating the observed effects.
Aims:
To determine if interleukin 2 (IL-2) alters epithelial transport and barrier function in cultured human small intestinal enterocytes.
Methods:
Confluent monolayers of small intestinal cells derived from duodenal biopsies were treated with IL-2 0.2-50 U/ml for 24 hours prior to study. Transport measurements were performed under short circuited conditions in Ussing chambers, with and without the secretagogues forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX). Serosal to mucosal flux of 3[H] mannitol (permeability) and 3[H] thymidine uptake (proliferation) were measured. IL-2 receptor and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mRNA were identified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
IL-2 did not alter baseline electrical parameters but caused a significant increase in cAMP dependent chloride secretion. The effect was mediated by the IL-2 receptor and paralleled a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, janus kinase 1, and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) 1, 3, and 5. IL-2 significantly increased proliferation but at a lower dose than observed for enhanced secretion but did not alter permeability. IL-2 receptor beta and gammac chains and CFTR mRNA were identified by RT-PCR.
Conclusions:
IL-2 treatment enhances cAMP stimulated chloride secretion and cellular proliferation in a human small intestinal cell line expressing a functional IL-2 receptor.
