Increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration is an intracellular messenger for the production of interleukin 2 but not for expression of the interleukin 2 receptor

G. B. Mills, R. K. Cheung, S. Grinstein, E. W. Gelfand

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

158 Scopus citations

Abstract

Activation of lymphocytes by mitogenic lectins results in the production of a group of soluble factors, the lymphokines. Proliferation of activated T cells requires interaction of one of these lymphokines, interleukin 2 (IL 2), with its receptor. The induction of IL 2 receptor expression and IL 2 production may involve different activation signals; some mitogens or antigens may activate both, whereas others may activate only one. An increase in cytosolic free calcium concentrations ([Ca++](i) is one of the signals involved in cellular activation by lectins. By using the fluorescent indicator quin-2, we have demonstrated that increases in [Ca++](i) accompany phytohemagglutinin induced proliferative responses of human T lymphocytes. Preventing the increase in [Ca++](i) also prevents proliferation. We demonstrate that an increase in [Ca++](i) is not required for the expression of the IL 2 receptor, which is expressed even in the presence of extremely low external calcium concentrations. In contrast, IL 2 production requires an increase in [Ca++](i) and does not occur in the absence of extracellular free calcium. IL 2 production appears to be the critical step requiring transmembrane calcium flux. In the absence of transmembrane calcium flux and subsequent IL 2 production, lectins are not able to trigger DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1640-1643
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume134
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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