Open AccessDevelopmental control of lymphokine gene expression in fetal thymocytes during T-cell ontogeny.
Author(s) -
Simon R. Carding,
Eric J. Jenkinson,
Rosetta Kingston,
Adrian Hayday,
Kim Bottomly,
J. J. T. Owen
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.86.9.3342
Subject(s) - lymphokine , biology , gene expression , ontogeny , population , interleukin 2 , messenger rna , fetus , medicine , endocrinology , receptor , in situ hybridization , t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , gene , immune system , genetics , pregnancy , environmental health
We have used the technique of in situ hybridization to investigate the expression of lymphokine genes by immature thymocytes during intrathymic development. In 13-day fetal thymocytes a population of cells constitutively produces low levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) mRNAs. A second phase of lymphokine gene expression occurs in the majority of 15-day thymocytes, and a population of cells constitutively produces both IL-2 and IL-4 mRNAs. Thymocytes at 14 days of gestation and after 16 days up until birth do not express detectable lymphokine mRNA. By contrast, the population of IL-2 receptor mRNA-producing thymocytes increases progressively up to 15 days of gestation, and expression thereafter decreases up to birth. In addition, thymocytes expressing interferon gamma mRNA were not present until just prior to birth. Our findings indicate developmental control of lymphokine and lymphokine receptor gene expression in fetal thymocytes during ontogeny.