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Interleukin-2 induces motility of human lymphocytes, but not their mobility
M Hiyoshi1, A Sasaki, K Hashimoto
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Japan.
Insights
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activates lymphocyte motility, enhancing cell structure and potential. However, IL-2 did not increase lymphocyte migration, indicating distinct effects on cell movement versus mobility.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is known to induce cytotoxic and antitumor activities in human lymphocytes.
- The activation of these activities is thought to involve the cytoskeletal system.
- The precise effects of IL-2 on lymphocyte movement and morphology require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Interleukin-2 (IL-2) induces cell movement in human lymphocytes.
- To analyze the morphological and motile changes in lymphocytes upon IL-2 incubation.
Main Methods:
- Lymphocytes were incubated with IL-2 and their morphology and motile activities were assessed.
- Cell size, nucleoli formation, microvilli development, and membrane potential were measured.
- Motility was examined using under-agar assays and Boyden's method.
- Cellular extracts were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
Main Results:
- After 72 hours of IL-2 incubation, 29% of lymphocytes showed increased size, nucleoli formation, and well-developed microvilli.
- A significant increase in lymphocyte membrane potential was observed.
- Under-agar assays showed cell aggregation, not migration.
- Boyden's method revealed reduced lymphocyte migration compared to controls.
- SDS-PAGE analysis of Triton X-100 extracts showed three additional protein bands (270,000-300,000 molecular weight) in IL-2 treated cells.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activation leads to changes in lymphocyte morphology and membrane potential, indicating enhanced motility.
- Despite morphological activation, IL-2 does not promote lymphocyte migration, suggesting a dissociation between motility and mobility.
- The observed protein changes may be related to IL-2's effect on the lymphocyte cytoskeleton.
Abstract:
Interleukin-2 induces cytotoxic and antitumor activities of human lymphocytes. For the expression of these activities, the cytoskeletal system is probably activated. This study was do;ne to find if interleukin-2 causes cell movement. Lymphocytes were incubated with interleukin-2, and their morphology and motile activities were studied. After 72 hr of incubation, some 29% of lymphocytes were larger than before; nucleoli had formed and the microvilli were well-developed. The membrane potential of the lymphocytes increased during incubation. Motility under agar after 3 days of incubation with interleukin-2 was examined. Cells aggregated in clumps in the incubation well, and migration was not observed. When mobility was examined with Boyden's method, fewer cells incubated with interleukin-2 migrated than in control preparations. Cells incubated with interleukin-2 were extracted with Triton X-100. The extract obtained had three more bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis than the controls. The band were at the positions for the molecular weights of 270,000-300,000. We concluded that interleukin-2 activated the motility of lymphocytes, but not their mobility.