Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation
07:20

Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation

Published on: January 15, 2011

Prothymosin alpha enhances interleukin 2 receptor expression in normal human T-lymphocytes

O J Cordero1, C S Sarandeses, J L López

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago, Spain.

International Journal of Immunopharmacology
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Prothymosin alpha (Pro alpha) enhances human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation by increasing interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression, particularly in cells with suboptimal responses. This suggests potential therapeutic applications for immunodeficiency and aging.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Prothymosin alpha (Pro alpha) is known to modulate immune responses.
  • Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation.
  • Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is crucial for T-cell activation and proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if Pro alpha enhances PBMC proliferation by affecting IL-2R expression.
  • To determine if Pro alpha influences the number of IL-2R-expressing cells or IL-2R surface density.
  • To explore the role of macrophages and IL-2 in Pro alpha's immunomodulatory effects.

Main Methods:

  • PBMC from 21 donors were stimulated with PHA at optimal and diluted concentrations.
  • Pro alpha's effect on IL-2R expression (cell number and density) and proliferation was assessed.
  • Cyclosporin A was used to suppress IL-2 production to evaluate its role.

Main Results:

  • Pro alpha significantly increased IL-2R expression in cells with half-maximal responses to PHA (groups Lh and Hl).
  • Pro alpha-mediated enhancement of IL-2R expression in group Lh was dose-dependent and correlated with increased proliferation.
  • Pro alpha's effect was independent of IL-2 and required macrophages for modulation of PHA-stimulated IL-2R expression.

Conclusions:

  • Pro alpha enhances PBMC proliferation by upregulating IL-2R expression, particularly in suboptimal conditions.
  • The mechanism appears independent of IL-2 but requires macrophage involvement during lymphocyte activation.
  • Pro alpha holds potential for treating T-cell dysfunction in immunodeficiency and aging populations.

More Related Videos

A Convenient and General Expression Platform for the Production of Secreted Proteins from Human Cells07:09

A Convenient and General Expression Platform for the Production of Secreted Proteins from Human Cells

Published on: July 31, 2012

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity06:16

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity

Published on: December 8, 2019

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

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 Functions01:24

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...