Impaired expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R) in the immunosuppressed burned patient: Reversal by exogenous il2

J. A. Teodorczyk-Injeyan, B. G. Sparkes, G. B. Mills, R. E. Falk, W. J. Peters

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

The capability of exogenous recombinant Interleukin 2 (rIL2) to increase expression of the IL2 receptor (IL2R), and to augment the in vitro proliferative response of lymphocytes from immunosuppressed burned patients (5—80% full-thickness burns) was examined. Throughout the postburn period the percentage of IL2R-bearing cells in Concanavalin A-activated cultures of patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured by direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-IL2R antibodies. Mitogen-induced IL2R expression was decreased by 40-90% in cultures of patients’ PBMC, parallel to their reduced alloreactivity. During this period of immunosuppression supplementation of the mitogen-activated cultures with recombinant IL2 (20 U/ml) significantly increased the number of IL2R-expressing cells in all patients studied. However, IL2-induced enhancement of blastogenesis in the MLR was observed only with the patients who, in mitogen-activated cultures, sustained numbers of IL2R-endowed cells at least 50% of their baseline (the level within the first 24 hours postburn). Also, unstimulated PBMC of the same responding patients demonstrated a restoration of proliferation in the presence of rIL2. These patients were survivors. Thus the proliferative response correlated well with the number of Con A-but not rIL2-induced IL2R-expressing cells. These results suggest that in burned patients, IL2 up-regulates its receptors, but they may represent low-affinity nonfunctional receptors. Thus thermal injury appears to affect expression of functional (high-affinity) receptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)180-187
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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