Interleukin 2 Modulates Intestinal Epithelial Cell Functionin Vitro

doi:10.1006/excr.1996.0193

Experimental Cell Research

Volume 225, Issue 2, 15 June 1996, Pages 422-429

https://doi.org/10.1006/excr.1996.0193 Get rights and content

Abstract

Although interleukin 2 (IL-2) has been presumed to have a highly circumscribed range of target cells limited largely to classic immune cell populations, the presence of functional IL-2 receptors in rat epithelial cell lines has recently been demonstrated. Limited information is available about the functional effects of IL-2 on intestinal epithelial cells. The effect of recombinant IL-2 on intestinal epithelial cell migration was assessed using a previously describedin vitromodel of epithelial restitution by quantitation of cells migrating into standard wounds established in confluent IEC-6 cell monolayers. Transforming growth factor β content was assessed by Northern blot and bioassay. Exogenous IL-2 enhanced epithelial cell restitutionin vitroon average 3.8-fold; this effect was independent of cell proliferation. Enhancement of restitution through IL-2 could be completely blocked through antibodies directed against TGFβ₁and interleukin-2 receptor, indicating that stimulation of epithelial cell restitution is specifically enhanced by interleukin-2 and mediated through a TGFβ-dependent pathway. In addition, increased expression of TGFβ₁mRNA and increased levels of bioactive TGFβ peptide in wounded monolayers treated with IL-2 compared to unwounded monolayers cultured in serum-deprived medium alone support the notion that enhancement of epithelial cell restitutionin vitrois mediated through a TGFβ-dependent pathway. These studies suggest that IL-2, a potent cytokine whose biological origin and targets have been presumed to be largely limited to lymphocyte and macrophage populations, may play a role in preserving the integrity of the intestinal epithelium following various forms of injuries.

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^☆: The studies presented in this report were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (DK41557, DK43351) and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DI 477/1-1).

²: To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed at Gastrointestinal Unit, Jackson 7, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. Fax: (617) 724-2136.

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Regular ArticleInterleukin 2 Modulates Intestinal Epithelial Cell Functionin Vitro☆

Abstract

Regular Article
Interleukin 2 Modulates Intestinal Epithelial Cell Functionin Vitro☆