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IL‐2 induces expression and secretion of IFN‐γ in murine peritoneal macrophages
Author(s) -
Puddu Patrizia,
Carollo Maria,
Pietraforte Immacolata,
Spadaro Francesca,
Tombesi Marina,
Ramoni Carlo,
Belardelli Filippo,
Gessani Sandra
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0105035
Subject(s) - biology , secretion , microbiology and biotechnology , macrophage , immunology , cancer research , endocrinology , in vitro , genetics
We investigated the effect of interleukin (IL)‐2, a T cell growth factor capable of activating certain macrophage functions, on interferon (IFN)‐γ expression in resting mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM). IL‐2 addition to PM from different mouse strains up‐modulated IFN‐γ mRNA and protein secretion. It is notable that endogenous type I and II IFNs did not play any role in the IL‐2‐mediated effect, as comparable levels of secreted IFN‐γ were observed upon IL‐2 stimulation of PM from deficient mice. In contrast, endogenous IFN‐γ was requested for the IL‐12‐induced IFN‐γ production. It is interesting that blocking of each component of the IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) by neutralizing antibodies almost completely abolished IL‐2‐induced IFN‐γ production, suggesting that all IL‐2R chains contribute to the PM biological response to IL‐2. The simultaneous treatment of PM with IL‐2 and IL‐12 resulted in a higher IFN‐γ secretion with respect to that obtained upon treatment with IL‐2 or IL‐12 alone. It is notable that IFN‐γ protein was expressed intracellularly in the majority of cells exhibiting a macrophage phenotype (i.e., F4/80 + ) and was secreted upon IL‐2 stimulation. Overall, these findings demonstrate that IL‐2 regulates at different levels IFN‐γ expression in macrophages, highlighting the crucial role of these cells and their regulated responsiveness to key cytokines in the cross‐talk between innate and adaptive immunity.