The JI
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
 


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Neely, G. G.
Right arrow Articles by Mody, C. H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Neely, G. G.
Right arrow Articles by Mody, C. H.
The Journal of Immunology, 2001, 167: 5011-5017.
Copyright © 2001 by The American Association of Immunologists

Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated or Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-Stimulated Monocytes Rapidly Express Biologically Active IL-15 on Their Cell Surface Independent of New Protein Synthesis1 ,2

Graham G. Neely*, Stephen M. Robbins{dagger},{ddagger}, Ernest K. Amankwah§, Slava Epelman§, Howard Wong, Jason C. L. Spurrell§, Kiran K. Jandu§, Weibin Zhu{dagger}, Darin K. Fogg{ddagger}, Christopher B. Brown{dagger},|| and Christopher H. Mody3,§,#

Departments of * Medical Sciences, {dagger} Oncology, {ddagger} Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, § Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Molecular Pathology, || Medicine, and # Internal Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Although IL-15 shares many of the biological activities of IL-2, IL-2 expression is primarily under transcriptional regulation, while the mechanisms involved in the regulation of IL-15 are complex and not completely understood. In the current study, we found that CD14+ monocytes constitutively exhibit both IL-15 mRNA and protein. IL-15 protein was found stored intracellularly and stimulation of CD14+ monocytes with either LPS or GM-CSF resulted in mobilization of IL-15 stores to the plasma membrane. This rapidly induced surface expression was the result of a translocation of preformed stores, confirming that posttranslational regulatory stages limit IL-15, because it was not accompanied by an increase in IL-15 mRNA and occurred independent of de novo protein synthesis. After fixation, activated monocytes, but not resting monocytes, were found to support T cell proliferation, and this effect was abrogated by the addition of an IL-15-neutralizing Ab. The presence of preformed IL-15 stores and the ability of stimulated monocytes to mobilize these stores to their surface in an active form is a novel mechanism of regulation for IL-15.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The mammalian immune system provides a rapid, highly specific, and protective response against pathogenic microorganisms. Both the induction and maintenance of a specific immune response is highly dependent on cytokines, a family of low m.w., soluble, secreted proteins.

T cell growth factors, which include the type I cytokines IL-2 and IL-15, are essential during the initial development of lymphocyte responses. Through the {beta} and {gamma} common chains and Janus kinase/STAT signaling apparatus (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), IL-2 and IL-15 provide signals for activation, differentiation, and homeostatic control of T cells and NK cells (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

The tissue source and factors controlling IL-2 are well established and appear to be quite different from those controlling IL-15. Resting T cells do not express IL-2, but transcript is expressed upon Ag-specific T cell activation (11, 12, 13). This transcript codes for IL-2 containing a signal peptide that directs IL-2 protein through the endoplasmic reticulum and promotes efficient secretion (14). By contrast, there are two isoforms of the IL-15 transcript. One, encoding a 48-aa long signal peptide, IL-15-LSP, results in inefficient secretion (1, 15, 16), while the other, with a 21-aa short signal peptide, IL-15-SSP (17), does not direct secretion (16). The role of soluble IL-15 has been determined in a variety of studies (18). However, a recent report indicates that IL-15-LSP, which results in inefficient secretion, is more effective in viral host defense than IL-15 that has been engineered to express an efficient signal sequence (19). Although these studies suggest that IL-15 may play an important role in host defense by a mechanism other than secretion, the role of unsecreted IL-15, potentially the predominant fate of IL-15, is not clear.

In the current study, we address the regulatory stages limiting IL-15 expression in human monocytes. Using semiquantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, intracellular cytokine labeling and flow cytometric analysis, and a cell-surface ELISA, we examined IL-15 mRNA and protein expression in resting human PBMC. Expression of IL-15 protein in PBMC subpopulations was addressed using two-color flow cytometry. Using cell-surface flow cytometry, we define the role of transcription and translation in inducible IL-15 surface expression. Finally, using a modified CTLL-2 assay, we explore the function of surface-bound IL-15 on activated monocytes.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Isolation of PBMC

Peripheral blood was obtained by venipuncture from healthy adults. Blood was anticoagulated by adding 10 U/ml heparin (Organon Teknika-Cappel, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada). PBMC were purified by centrifugation (800 x g for 20 min) on a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient (C-SIX Diagnostics, Mequon, WI). The cells were washed three times in HBSS (Life Technologies, Burlington, Ontario, Canada), counted in a hemocytometer, and resuspended in complete medium containing RPMI 1640 (Life Technologies), 5% heat-inactivated human AB serum (BioWhittaker, Walkersville, MD), 2 mM L-glutamine (Life Technologies), 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 µg/ml streptomycin, 0.2 µg/ml amphotericin B (Life Technologies), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Life Technologies), and 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids (Life Technologies).

In some cases, PBMC (1.5 x 106/well) were allowed to adhere to plastic in 24-well flat-bottom plates (Falcon, Franklin Lakes, NJ) for 2 h at 37°C and 5% CO2 in complete medium. Medium and nonadherent cells were then gently aspirated, adherent cells were washed three times with RPMI 1640, and fresh complete medium was added to the wells.

RNA extraction

PBMC (1.5 x 106/ml) were cultured in 24-well plates in the presence and absence of 1 µg of Escherichia coli LPS (Sigma, Oakville, Ontario, Canada). At various intervals (see individual experiment), the cells were lysed with a guanidinium-isothiocyanate solution and the total RNA was extracted using the MicroRNA isolation kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) following the manufacturer’s protocol. RNA was stored at -70°C. The amount and quantity of the RNA was determined using the A280:A260 ratio.

cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification

RNA (2 µg) was reverse transcribed into cDNA and stored at -20°C. PCR amplification was performed using primers specific for IL-15 (5' primer: 5'-CTGAAGCTGGCATTCATGTCTTCA-3'; and 3' primer: 5'-GAGTTCATCTGATCCAAGGTCT-3') and GAPDH (5' primer: 5'-CGGAGTCAACGGATTTGGTCGTAT-3'; and 3' primer: 5'-AGCCTTCTCCATGGTGGTGAAGAC-3'). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in ethidium bromide-stained 1.4% agarose gels and visualized with UV illumination.

Flow cytometry

Resting PBMC (1.5 x 106/ml) were cultured in complete RPMI 1640 (Life Technologies) or medium containing 10 ng/ml recombinant human (rh)4IFN-{gamma} (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN), 30 ng/ml rhGM-CSF (R&D Systems), or 1 µg of E. coli LPS (Sigma) with or without 20 µg of cycloheximide (CHX) (Sigma). For cell-surface labeling, 1.5 x 106 PBMC were washed three times with PBS (1% FCS, 0.1% NaN3) and incubated in the dark at 4°C with anti-IL-15 Ab or isotype-matched control Ab. Anti-IL-15 Abs were mAb 247, mAb 647 (both from R&D Systems), and 16E3-PE (BioSource International, Camarillo, CA). The control Abs were an unlabeled isotype-matched control Ab (R&D Systems) or a directly labeled isotype-matched Ab (BD Biosciences, Mountain View, CA). Cells were washed twice and incubated with goat anti-mouse IgG1-PE (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR). Cells were washed three times and incubated with anti-CD3 PerCP, anti-CD14 FITC, anti-CD19 FITC, or anti-CD56 FITC (BD Biosciences) for 30 min. Cells were fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde for 20 min before fluorescent analysis using Lysis II software on a FACScan fluorocytometer (BD Biosciences).

For intracellular staining of resting PBMC, 1.5 x 106 cells were washed three times with PBS (1% FCS, 0.1% NaN3) and permeabilized using the Cytofix/Cytoperm reagent (BD PharMingen, San Diego, CA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cells were washed twice in "perm wash" (BD PharMingen) and incubated for 30 min at 4°C with mouse monoclonal anti-human IL-15 Ab (R&D Systems or BioSource International) or mouse isotype-matched control (R&D Systems or BD Biosciences). Cells were washed twice and incubated with goat anti-mouse IgG1-PE (Molecular Probes). For identification of cell populations expressing IL-15, cells were then washed three times with PBS (1% FCS, 0.1% NaN3) and incubated with anti-CD3 PerCP, anti-CD14 FITC, anti-CD19 FITC, or anti-CD56 FITC (BD Biosciences).

Cell-surface ELISA

Adherent monocytes were fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde, washed, and suspended in 1% human AB serum, 1% BSA, and 0.01% NaN3 in PBS. Cells were labeled with the IL-15-specific mAb 247 or isotype-matched control Ab (R&D Systems) followed by goat anti-mouse HRP (Amersham, Buckinghamshire, U.K.). The ELISA was developed using 200 µl of a 1/1 mixture of H202 and tetramethylbenzidine solutions (Genzyme Diagnostics, San Carlos, CA). Reaction was stopped with 200 µl of 1 M H2SO4 and read spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. The values are expressed as the fold increase in absorption over control cells (absorption from cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab / absorption from cells labeled with isotype-matched Ab). For comparisons between different culture conditions, net IL-15 A450 values were obtained and expressed relative to control cells.

Immunoblotting

Freshly isolated cells were lysed in hypotonic buffer (10 mM Tris-hydrochloric acid (pH 8.0), 10 mM KCl) with fresh protease inhibitors (1 mM PMSF, 10 µg/ml aprotinin, 10 µg/ml leupeptin (Sigma)), followed by Dounce homogenization. The cellular lysate was isolated from the homogenate by centrifugation (1000 x g for 10 min) and resuspended in 1x Laemmli SDS sample buffer. The lysate was applied to 15% SDS-PAGE and transferred onto nitrocellulose paper (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). The membrane was blocked with 5% BSA in PBS/0.5% Tween 20 and probed with polyclonal rabbit anti-human IL-15 (P2; Immunex, Seattle, WA), followed by HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (Bio-Rad). Immunoreactive protein bands were visualized using ECL (Amersham).

Surface IL-15 bioassay

Freshly isolated PBMC (2 x 105) were cultured in complete RPMI 1640 overnight and monocytes were obtained by adherence to plastic. Monocytes were stimulated for 1 h with 10 ng/ml GM-CSF, washed, and fixed with 0.05% gluteraldehyde. Cells were washed twice with cold PBS and then incubated in complete RPMI 1640 for 1 h. CTLL-2 cells (2 x 104) were added to fixed adherent monocytes in the presence or absence of mAb 247 or an isotype-matched control Ab. For optimal CTLL-2 response, 0.4 ng of IL-2 was added to each group. After 48 h, 10 µl of a 5 mg/ml MTT solution was added to each well and cells were incubated for an additional 4 h at which time 100 µl of isopropanol/0.04 N hydrochloric acid solution was added to each well and read spectrophotometrically at 570 nm.

Statistics

When applicable, data are presented as mean ± SE. Different experiments were performed on different subjects on different days. Statistical analysis was performed by use of the Scheffe test for analysis of variance, when allowed by the F test. For these tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant. For CTLL-2 proliferation, a Student t test was performed using the Bonferroni correction for the comparison of multiple groups.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
IL-15 is constitutively expressed in resting human PBMC

To characterize the regulatory stages controlling IL-15 protein expression, we examined IL-15 mRNA and protein expression in resting human PBMC. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed on freshly isolated cells that were left in culture for various lengths of time. IL-15 mRNA was found constitutively expressed in PBMC, and there was no change in IL-15 mRNA expression with up to 72 h in culture (Fig. 1Goa). Immunoblotting revealed that freshly isolated PBMC also constitutively express cell-associated IL-15 protein, showing one strong immunoreactive band at ~19 kDa, and one weak band at ~15 kDa (Fig. 1Gob). These correspond to the previously described molecular mass of mature IL-15 and the variant with the short signal peptide (20).



View larger version (49K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 1. Constitutive IL-15 mRNA expression in resting PBMC. a, PBMC were cultured in complete medium and at the times indicated cells were lysed and RNA was extracted. Detection of IL-15 mRNA was done by semiquantitative RT-PCR. b, Freshly isolated PBMC were lysed and a Western blot for IL-15 was performed. IL-15 protein levels were compared with known concentrations of recombinant cytokine. The experiment was repeated four times with similar results.

 
IL-15 protein is found in intracellular stores in resting PBMC

Because both IL-15 mRNA and protein are constitutively expressed in resting PBMC, experiments were performed to determine whether PBMC display surface-bound or intracellular IL-15 protein. PBMC labeled with a mAb specific for IL-15 showed no surface-bound IL-15 protein (Fig. 2Goa). However, when PBMC were permeabilized before labeling, IL-15 protein was detected intracellularly (Fig. 2Gob). The specificity of IL-15 staining was demonstrated by adding excess rIL-15 to cells before addition of the anti-IL-15 Ab, which reduced the intensity of fluorescence to that of the cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab (Fig. 2Goc).



View larger version (11K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 2. IL-15 protein expression in resting human PBMC. a, Unpermeabilized, or permeabilized PBMC incubated in the absence (b) or presence (c) of excess rhIL-15 (5 µg/ml) were labeled for IL-15. The filled curve represents cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab. The open curve represents cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab. The experiment was repeated four times with similar results.

 
Expression of IL-15 by different subsets of PBMC

Having determined that PBMC express intracellular IL-15, experiments were performed to determine which subsets of PBMC express IL-15. Two-color flow cytometry revealed that IL-15 protein is expressed largely in CD14+ monocytes, but labeling also occurred in CD3+ T cells, and to a lesser extent in CD19+ B cells and CD56+ NK cells (Fig. 3Goa). Surface expression of IL-15 on the major populations of resting PBMC was not detected by two-color flow cytometry (Fig. 3Gob). Similar results were obtained using the mouse mAbs 247, 647, and 16E3. Monocyte IL-15 surface labeling was detected with the M112 Ab, but, consistent with previous reports (21), when rIL-15 was added before labeling, we were unable to reduce the level of binding by M112, suggesting that this IL-15 signal detected using M112 was nonspecific. Thus, subsets of PBMC do not constitutively express IL-15 on their surface but do express intracellular IL-15.



View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 3. IL-15 expression in PBMC subsets. Freshly isolated PBMC were indirectly labeled for intracellular (a) or extracellular (b) IL-15, followed by surface staining for PBMC subset markers CD3, CD14, CD19, and CD56. The filled curve represents cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab. The open curve represents cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab. The experiment was repeated four times with similar results.

 
IL-15 surface expression in freshly isolated and resting cells

Because our inability to detect constitutive IL-15 surface expression on monocytes by flow cytometric analysis may have been due to a lack of sensitivity of the assay, we developed a highly sensitive ELISA to detect IL-15 on the surface of monocytes. This revealed that only one donor of four expressed trace amounts of IL-15 on the surface of resting adherent monocytes (Fig. 4Goa). Because previous studies had demonstrated constitutive surface expression of IL-15, studies were performed to determine whether the surface expression might be influenced by the PBMC purification process. Surface labeling of IL-15 was measured at various stages of cellular purification. Monocytes obtained from whole blood did not express IL-15 on their cell surface (Fig. 4Gob). However, monocytes tested immediately after Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation displayed membrane-bound IL-15 (Fig. 4Goc) that was quickly down-regulated when cells were allowed to rest in culture (Fig. 4Go, d and e).



View larger version (26K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 4. Resting PBMC express low levels of membrane-bound IL-15. a, Resting monocytes were fixed and a cell-surface ELISA was performed. Sample absorption at 450 nm was characterized to determine the relative IL-15 surface expression. Data presented are the mean of quadruplicate samples ± SEM. *, p < 0.05 compared with isotype-matched control Ab. NS, not significant compared with isotype-matched control Ab (by analysis of variance). Cells obtained from whole blood (b), taken directly out of Ficoll-Hypaque (c), or washed and allowed to rest for 1 h (d) or 4 h (e) were labeled with anti-CD14 and anti-IL-15 Abs. After gating on CD14+ cells, IL-15 surface expression was characterized. The filled curve represents cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab. The open curve represents cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab. The experiment was repeated with similar results.

 
IL-15 protein is rapidly expressed on the surface of stimulated CD14+ monocytes

To determine whether mediators of inflammation induce IL-15 surface expression, resting PBMC were stimulated with LPS, which is known to induce modest levels of IL-15 secretion (22). Resting PBMC cultured in medium alone showed no IL-15 surface expression on CD14+ monocytes (Fig. 5Go, a and b). In contrast, CD14+ monocytes stimulated with 1 µg of LPS displayed IL-15 surface expression at both 30 and 60 min after stimulation (Fig. 5Go, c and d). The macrophage stimulus GM-CSF (Fig. 5Goe), but not IFN-{gamma} (Fig. 5Gof), also induced IL-15 surface expression on monocytes. Although we detected surface expression of IL-15, ELISA did not detect IL-15 in the culture supernatants at these early time points (data not shown). Thus, both LPS and GM-CSF induced surface expression of IL-15, while IFN-{gamma} did not, and surface expression was not accompanied by secretion of IL-15.



View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 5. Stimulated monocytes express surface IL-15. Resting PBMC were cultured in medium alone (a and b), medium with 1 µg/ml LPS (c and d), 30 ng/ml rhGM-CSF (e), or 10 ng/ml rhIFN-{gamma} (f). a, c, and e, After stimulation for the indicated time, cells were indirectly labeled for surface IL-15, followed by staining for the monocyte marker CD14. The relative levels of IL-15 surface expression were characterized on CD14+ cells. The filled curve represents cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab. The open curve represents cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab. c and d, The experiment was repeated five times with similar results.

 
IL-15 surface expression on monocytes does not require mRNA induction or de novo protein synthesis

Because IL-15 surface expression occurred rapidly following LPS stimulation, we considered the possibility that surface expression was from presynthesized IL-15 rather than the result of transcriptional or translational up-regulation. To determine whether the transcript increased, IL-15 mRNA was assessed following LPS stimulation. PBMC stimulated with LPS did not up-regulate IL-15 mRNA (Fig. 6Goa). To determine whether translation was required, PBMC were stimulated with LPS in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor CHX. Both flow cytometry (Fig. 6Go, b–d) and cell-surface ELISA (Fig. 6Goe) demonstrated that monocytes stimulated with LPS in the presence of CHX expressed IL-15 on their cell surface similar to cells stimulated with LPS in the absence of CHX. There was no reduction in viability of cells due to CHX exposure as assessed by trypan blue exclusion or forward and side light scatter (data not shown), and the concentration of CHX used was capable of inhibiting protein synthesis, because CHX treatment abrogated the secretion of IL-10 by PBMC stimulated with Con A (data not shown). These results suggest that early IL-15 surface expression is not the result of de novo protein synthesis, but, instead, IL-15 is translocated to the cell surface from preformed intracellular stores.



View larger version (29K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 6. IL-15 surface expression on LPS-stimulated PBMC does not correlate with mRNA induction and does not require de novo protein synthesis. Resting PBMC were cultured in medium alone (UN) or medium with 1 µg/ml LPS (LPS) for 60 min and detection of IL-15 mRNA was done by semiquantitative RT-PCR. For surface IL-15 detection, resting PBMC were cultured for 60 min in medium alone (b), medium with 1 µg/ml LPS (c), or medium with 1 µg/ml LPS and 20 µg/ml CHX (d). Cells were then labeled for surface IL-15, followed by labeling for the monocyte marker CD14. The relative levels of IL-15 surface expression were characterized on CD14+ cells. The filled curve represents cells labeled with an isotype-matched control Ab. The open curve represents cells labeled with anti-IL-15 Ab. e, PBMC were cultured for 60 min in medium alone (un), medium with 1 µg/ml LPS (lps), or medium with 1 µg/ml LPS and 20 µg/ml CHX (lps + chx). Cells were fixed and a cell-surface ELISA was performed. Data are presented as a mean of quadruplicate values ± SEM relative to unstimulated values. *, p < 0.05 compared with unstimulated. These experiments were repeated four times with similar results.

 
Surface-bound IL-15 has biological activity

Because monocytes express IL-15 on their surface following activation, experiments were performed to determine whether the surface-expressed IL-15 was biologically active. To avoid the possibility that IL-15 was secreted into the medium, monocytes were stimulated, fixed, and washed before assessing the activity of surface IL-15. Fixed, stimulated monocytes were incubated with the IL-15-responsive T cell line CTLL-2. Unstimulated monocytes did not support CTLL-2 proliferation, supporting our previous observation that monocytes do not constitutively express surface IL-15 (Fig. 7Go). After stimulation with GM-CSF and fixation, monocytes induced proliferation of CTLL-2 cells, which was inhibited by an anti-IL-15 neutralizing Ab. By correlating the CTLL-2 proliferation with the activity in response to recombinant standards, we estimated that activated monocytes had ~4.4 ng of IL-15 biological activity per 100,000 cells. Thus, surface-expressed IL-15 is biologically active.



View larger version (14K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 7. Surface-bound IL-15 can support T cell proliferation. Resting or GM-CSF-activated monocytes were fixed and then incubated with the IL-15-responsive CD8 T cell line CTLL-2. Neutralizing IL-15 mAbs, or isotype-matched control Abs, were added as indicated. Proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. NS, not significant compared with resting monocytes plus CTLL-2 plus IgG1. *, p < 0.01 compared with resting monocytes plus CTLL-2 plus IgG1. #, Not significant compared with activated monocytes plus CTLL-2 plus IgG1. The experiment was repeated four times with similar results.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
We have made five major observations: 1) resting human PBMC constitutively expressed IL-15 mRNA and protein; 2) PBMC had detectable levels of two isoforms of IL-15 with apparent molecular masses of 19 and 15 kDa; 3) CD14+ monocytes and other major subsets of PBMC contained intracellular stores of IL-15, with minimal surface-associated IL-15; 4) activated monocytes rapidly translocated preformed IL-15 stores to their cell surface; and 5) surface-bound IL-15 caused T cell proliferation.

Many cell types show constitutive expression of IL-15 mRNA (1, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29), suggesting that IL-15 is regulated through posttranscriptional mechanisms. Nevertheless, the purpose of this mRNA was not clear, because to date only a limited number of studies have demonstrated constitutive IL-15 protein expression. IL-15 protein is present in umbilical vein endothelial cells, renal cortical tubular epithelial cells, and human cancer cell lines (29, 30, 31, 32). Using intracellular cytokine analysis, the current studies indicate that the constitutively expressed IL-15 mRNA is translated to protein in the major subsets of PBMC, which possess IL-15 protein stored intracellularly. Previously pulse/chase experiments have shown that cell-associated IL-15 protein has a slow turnover rate (20). Taken in conjunction with the present study, we conclude that monocytes store IL-15 protein in relatively long-lived intracellular stores that become rapidly exported to the plasma membrane following stimulation. Although we have demonstrated that some biologically relevant stimuli (LPS or GM-CSF) are sufficient to signal CD14+ monocytes to express IL-15 on their surface, while others (IFN-{gamma}) are not, the downstream pathways required and their specificity are unknown.

Other type I T cell growth factors, including IL-2 (11, 12, 13) and IL-4 (12), are primarily under transcriptional regulation. Although this tight regulation prevents inappropriate growth factor signaling, it imposes a number of limitations on the expression of these cytokines, including the time and physiologic mechanisms required for transcription and translation before expression. Preformed cytokines circumvent these limitations and, in the case of IL-15, might permit immediate support for T cell responses and other T cell growth factor-dependent responses until additional growth factors can be synthesized. Although posttranslational regulation is atypical for other T cell growth factors, some monokines are regulated in this manner. For example, monocytes store TGF-{alpha} in secretory granules, and these stores are liberated following treatment with IL-10 and IFN-{gamma} (33). The current studies indicate that IL-15 can bypass the requirement for transcriptional and translational control by existing as a mobile preformed cytokine in peripheral blood monocytes.

Although many cytokines are secreted proteins that allow action at sites distant from their elaboration, some other monokines have membrane-associated forms. Membrane-bound IL-1 plays an important role in accessory cell support of anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation (34). Surface TNF-{alpha} mediates macrophage contact-dependent cytotoxicity (35, 36, 37, 38) and IL-10 induction (39). Macrophage-expressed surface IL-10 regulates both phagocytic function (40) and bactericidal activity (41), and membrane lymphotoxin-{beta} contributes to lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity (42). Membrane retention provides an important level of control over immune responses, because cells must be in direct contact for these membrane-bound cytokines to exert their effects.

Monocytes have the capacity to support lymphocyte activity by a number of mechanisms that include accessory receptor-ligand interactions and the release of cytokines. Although soluble IL-15 can clearly promote T cell responses (6, 21), we have shown a potent capacity for membrane-bound IL-15 to promote T cell proliferation. Recent investigations suggest that a form of IL-15 that is not secreted confers a more protective effect than secreted IL-15 in in vivo anti-vaccinia virus responses (19). In the current study we observed 4.4 ng of IL-15 activity on the surface of 100,000 monocytes. This concentration is higher than what we have estimated using other techniques (our unpublished observations). A potential explanation for the observation that a lower level of IL-15 protein was found on the surface of activated monocytes (<1 ng per 105 monocytes) despite a higher level of IL-15 activity detected (4.4 ng per 105 monocytes, Fig. 7Go) may depend on the fact that membrane-localized IL-15 activity may be more potent than its soluble isoform. That is, an additional feature of membrane-bound IL-15 may be its ability to promote clustering of its cognate receptor, thereby amplifying the effective dose of membrane IL-15, when compared with its soluble counterpart. This provides a potential mechanism for the protective effect of cell-associated IL-15. Additionally, because IL-15 is a potent T cell growth factor, cognate interactions between IL-15-expressing monocytes and Ag-specific T cells would limit the extent of bystander activation in the initiation of an Ag-specific immune response. Cognate roles for IL-15 may also be important in the developmental education of intraepithelial lymphocytes and NK cells, processes both known to be dependent on the IL-15 receptor (9).

We have shown that PBMC store IL-15 intracellularly. A recent study by Musso et al. (21) reported that monocytes and monocytic cell lines constitutively express IL-15 on their surface. We have confirmed that some cell lines, such as THP-1, constitutively express IL-15 on their cell surface (data not shown), but, using multiple different IL-15 mAbs, we were unable to detect IL-15 on monocytes from the majority of healthy adults. We believe that differences in techniques are the explanation for these discrepant results. First, we have used four different mAbs. We have found that three commercially available mAbs consistently show IL-15 only on activated monocytes, while M112 used by Musso et al. (21) appears to have a level of nonspecific binding, which gives the appearance of constitutive surface expression (after stimulation, M112 does not reveal any rapid increase in surface labeling). Secondly, Musso et al. (21) purified monocytes from total PBMC by Ficoll-Hypaque followed by Percoll gradient centrifugation. We made similar observations concerning surface expression of IL-15 after Ficoll-Hypaque separation of PBMC. The transient surface expression may be due to the activation of cells during the purification process. Specifically, Percoll, which is a modified mixture of colloidal silica (43), has been shown to cause membrane disruption (44), decrease plasma membrane phospholipid levels (45), induce histamine release from human basophils (46), and induce random migration and elevated H202 production from neutrophils (47). In addition, we have shown that, while resting monocytes do not have active IL-15 on their cell surface, activated monocytes can readily support T cell proliferation, which is blocked by an anti-IL-15 Ab. Although Musso et al. (21) reported constitutive IL-15 membrane localization on resting monocytes, they failed to attribute biological function to this observation. Finally, our data corroborate the observation that healthy alveolar macrophages do not express surface IL-15 (48). Thus, our results suggest that IL-15 is not constitutively expressed on the membrane, but becomes rapidly expressed on the cell surface following monocyte activation.

Although IL-2 is produced by Ag-specific T cells hours to days after Ag presentation (12, 49), and is not necessary until after the fifth round of division (50), IL-15 is required for the afferent phase of a T cell response in vivo (50) and surface expression is rapidly induced by monocyte activators like the cytokine GM-CSF or the innate T-independent immunostimulant LPS. This provides monocytes with the capacity to use LPS (and perhaps other signals) as an initial bridge between innate and acquired immunity, resulting in immediate IL-2-independent support for the initiation of an Ag-specific T cell response.

In summary, IL-15 is constitutively expressed in subsets of resting PBMC at the level of both message and protein. Therefore, mechanisms that regulate the cellular export of IL-15 protein are likely the limiting factor in IL-15 expression. Furthermore, monocytes rapidly express IL-15 on their surface following activation. The broad expression of preformed IL-15 stores, and the ability of the stores to be mobilized in a T-independent manner to a biologically active form, suggest that IL-15 is operationally ready to provide an initial bridge between innate and acquired immunity.


    Acknowledgments
 
We thank Laurie Robertson for technical assistance with flow cytometry.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. G.G.N. is supported by a studentship from the Alberta Lung Association. S.M.R., C.B.B., and C.H.M. are scholars of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Back

2 This work conforms to the guidelines established by the Conjoint Committee on Medical Ethics at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Back

3 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Christopher H. Mody, University of Calgary, Room 273 Heritage Medical Research Building, Calgary T2N 4N1, Alberta, Canada. E-mail address: cmody{at}ucalgary.ca Back

4 Abbreviations used in this paper: rh, recombinant human; CHX, cycloheximide. Back

Received for publication November 21, 2000. Accepted for publication September 4, 2001.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Grabstein, K. H., J. Eisenman, K. Shanebeck, C. Rauch, S. Srinivasan, V. Fung, C. Beers, J. Richardson, M. A. Schoenborn, M. Ahdieh. 1994. Cloning of a T cell growth factor that interacts with the {beta} chain of the interleukin-2 receptor. Science 264:965.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Giri, J. G., M. Ahdieh, J. Eisenman, K. Shanebeck, K. Grabstein, S. Kumaki, A. Namen, L. S. Park, D. Cosman, D. Anderson. 1994. Utilization of the {beta} and {gamma} chains of the IL-2 receptor by the novel cytokine IL-15. EMBO J. 13:2822.[Medline]
  3. Johnston, J. A., C. M. Bacon, D. S. Finbloom, R. C. Rees, D. Kaplan, K. Shibuya, J. R. Ortaldo, S. Gupta, Y. Q. Chen, J. D. Giri. 1995. Tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of STAT5, STAT3, and Janus kinases by interleukins 2 and 15. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:8705.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Lin, J. X., T. S. Migone, M. Tsang, M. Friedmann, J. A. Weatherbee, L. Zhou, A. Yamauchi, E. T. Bloom, J. Mietz, S. John. 1995. The role of shared receptor motifs and common Stat proteins in the generation of cytokine pleiotropy and redundancy by IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-13, and IL-15. Immunity 2:331.[Medline]
  5. Brumeanu, T. D., S. Casares, A. Bot, S. Bot, C. A. Bona. 1997. Immunogenicity of a contiguous T-B synthetic epitope of the A/PR/8/34 influenza virus. J. Virol. 71:5473.[Abstract]
  6. Mody, C. H., J. C. Spurrell, C. J. Wood. 1998. Interleukin-15 induces antimicrobial activity after release by Cryptococcus neoformans-stimulated monocytes. J. Infect. Dis. 178:803.[Medline]
  7. Zhang, X., S. Sun, I. Hwang, D. F. Tough, J. Sprent. 1998. Potent and selective stimulation of memory-phenotype CD8+ T cells in vivo by IL-15. Immunity 8:591.[Medline]
  8. Kanegane, H., G. Tosato. 1996. Activation of naive and memory T cells by interleukin-15. Blood 88:230.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Lodolce, J. P., D. L. Boone, S. Chai, R. E. Swain, T. Dassopoulos, S. Trettin, A. Ma. 1998. IL-15 receptor maintains lymphoid homeostasis by supporting lymphocyte homing and proliferation. Immunity 9:669.[Medline]
  10. Kennedy, M. K., M. Glaccum, S. N. Brown, E. A. Butz, J. L. Viney, M. Embers, N. Matsuki, K. Charrier, L. Sedger, C. R. Willis, et al 2000. Reversible defects in natural killer and memory CD8 T cell lineages in interleukin 15-deficient mice. J. Exp. Med. 191:771.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Shaw, J., K. Meerovitch, R. C. Bleackley, V. Paetkau. 1988. Mechanisms regulating the level of IL-2 mRNA in T lymphocytes. J. Immunol. 140:2243.[Abstract]
  12. Mohler, K. M., L. D. Butler. 1990. Differential production of IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA in vivo after primary sensitization. J. Immunol. 145:1734.[Abstract]
  13. Jain, J., C. Loh, A. Rao. 1995. Transcriptional regulation of the IL-2 gene. Curr. Opin. Immunol. 7:333.[Medline]
  14. Onu, A., T. Pohl, H. Krause, S. Bulfone-Paus. 1997. Regulation of IL-15 secretion via the leader peptide of two IL-15 isoforms. J. Immunol. 158:255.[Abstract]
  15. Burton, J. D., R. N. Bamford, C. Peters, A. J. Grant, G. Kurys, C. K. Goldman, J. Brennan, E. Roessler, T. A. Waldmann. 1994. A lymphokine, provisionally designated interleukin T and produced by a human adult T-cell leukemia line, stimulates T-cell proliferation and the induction of lymphokine-activated killer cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:4935.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Tagaya, Y., G. Kurys, T. A. Thies, J. M. Losi, N. Azimi, J. A. Hanover, R. N. Bamford, T. A. Waldmann. 1997. Generation of secretable and nonsecretable interleukin 15 isoforms through alternate usage of signal peptides. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:14444.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Meazza, R., S. Verdiani, R. Biassoni, M. Coppolecchia, A. Gaggero, A. M. Orengo, M. P. Colombo, B. Azzarone, S. Ferrini. 1996. Identification of a novel interleukin-15 (IL-15) transcript isoform generated by alternative splicing in human small cell lung cancer cell lines. Oncogene 12:2187.[Medline]
  18. Tagaya, Y., R. N. Bamford, A. P. DeFilippis, T. A. Waldmann. 1996. IL-15: a pleiotropic cytokine with diverse receptor/signaling pathways whose expression is controlled at multiple levels. Immunity 4:329.[Medline]
  19. Perera, L. P., C. K. Goldman, T. A. Waldmann. 2001. Comparative assessment of virulence of recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing IL-2 and IL-15 in immunodeficient mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:5146.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Bamford, R. N., A. P. DeFilippis, N. Azimi, G. Kurys, T. A. Waldmann. 1998. The 5' untranslated region, signal peptide, and the coding sequence of the carboxyl terminus of IL-15 participate in its multifaceted translational control. J. Immunol. 160:4418.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Musso, T., L. Calosso, M. Zucca, M. Millesimo, D. Ravarino, M. Giovarelli, F. Malavasi, A. N. Ponzi, R. Paus, S. Bulfone-Paus. 1999. Human monocytes constitutively express membrane-bound, biologically active, and interferon-{gamma}-upregulated interleukin-15. Blood 93:3531.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Carson, W. E., M. E. Ross, R. A. Baiocchi, M. J. Marien, N. Boiani, K. Grabstein, M. A. Caligiuri. 1995. Endogenous production of interleukin 15 by activated human monocytes is critical for optimal production of interferon-{gamma} by natural killer cells in vitro. J. Clin. Invest. 96:2578.
  23. Mohamadzadeh, M., A. Takashima, I. Dougherty, J. Knop, P. R. Bergstresser, P. D. J. Cruz. 1995. Ultraviolet B radiation up-regulates the expression of IL-15 in human skin. J. Immunol. 155:4492.[Abstract]
  24. Lee, Y. B., J. Satoh, D. G. Walker, S. U. Kim. 1996. Interleukin-15 gene expression in human astrocytes and microglia in culture. NeuroReport 7:1062.[Medline]
  25. Blauvelt, A., H. Asada, V. Klaus-Kovtun, D. J. Altman, D. R. Lucey, S. I. Katz. 1996. Interleukin-15 mRNA is expressed by human keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, and blood-derived dendritic cells and is downregulated by ultraviolet B radiation. J. Invest. Dermatol. 106:1047.[Medline]
  26. Jonuleit, H., K. Wiedemann, G. Muller, J. Degwert, U. Hoppe, J. Knop, A. H. Enk. 1997. Induction of IL-15 mRNA and protein in human blood-derived dendritic cells: a role for IL-15 in attraction of T cells. J. Immunol. 158:2610.[Abstract]
  27. Satoh, J., K. Kurohara, M. Yukitake, Y. Kuroda. 1998. Interleukin-15, a T-cell growth factor, is expressed in human neural cell lines and tissues. J. Neurol. Sci. 155:170.[Medline]
  28. Azimi, N., K. Brown, R. N. Bamford, Y. Tagaya, U. Siebenlist, T. A. Waldmann. 1998. Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I Tax protein trans-activates interleukin 15 gene transcription through an NF-{kappa}B site. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:2452.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  29. Weiler, M., B. Rogashev, T. Einbinder, M. J. Hausmann, J. Kaneti, C. Chaimovitz, A. Douvdevani. 1998. Interleukin-15, a leukocyte activator and growth factor, is produced by cortical tubular epithelial cells. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 9:1194.[Abstract]
  30. Oppenheimer-Marks, N., R. I. Brezinschek, M. Mohamadzadeh, R. Vita, P. E. Lipsky. 1998. Interleukin 15 is produced by endothelial cells and increases the transendothelial migration of T cells in vitro and in the SCID mouse-human rheumatoid arthritis model in vivo. J. Clin. Invest. 101:1261.[Medline]
  31. Meazza, R., A. Gaggero, F. Neglia, S. Basso, S. Sforzini, R. Pereno, B. Azzarone, S. Ferrini. 1997. Expression of two interleukin-15 mRNA isoforms in human tumors does not correlate with secretion: role of different signal peptides. Eur. J. Immunol. 27:1049.[Medline]
  32. Stoeck, M., W. Kromer, V. Gekeler. 1998. Induction of IL-15 mRNA and protein in A549 cells by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Immunobiology 199:14.[Medline]
  33. Calafat, J., H. Janssen, M. Stahle-Backdahl, A. E. Zuurbier, E. F. Knol, A. Egesten. 1997. Human monocytes and neutrophils store transforming growth factor-{alpha} in a subpopulation of cytoplasmic granules. Blood 90:1255.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Hurme, M.. 1987. Membrane-associated interleukin 1 is required for the activation of T cells in the anti-CD3 antibody-induced T cell response. J. Immunol. 139:1168.[Abstract]
  35. Bakouche, O., Y. Ichinose, R. Heicappell, I. J. Fidler, L. B. Lachman. 1988. Plasma membrane-associated tumor necrosis factor: a non-integral membrane protein possibly bound to its own receptor. J. Immunol. 140:1142.[Abstract]
  36. Luettig, B., T. Decker, M. L. Lohmann-Matthes. 1989. Evidence for the existence of two forms of membrane tumor necrosis factor: an integral protein and a molecule attached to its receptor. J. Immunol. 143:4034.[Abstract]
  37. Nii, A., S. Sone, E. Orino, T. Ogura. 1993. Induction of a 26-kDa membrane-form tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{alpha} in human alveolar macrophages. J. Leukocyte Biol. 53:29.[Abstract]
  38. Lazdins, J. K., M. Grell, M. R. Walker, K. Woods-Cook, P. Scheurich, K. Pfizenmaier. 1997. Membrane tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced cooperative signaling of TNFR60 and TNFR80 favors induction of cell death rather than virus production in HIV-infected T cells. J. Exp. Med. 185:81.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. Parry, S. L., M. Sebbag, M. Feldmann, F. M. Brennan. 1997. Contact with T cells modulates monocyte IL-10 production: role of T cell membrane TNF-{alpha}. J. Immunol. 158:3673.[Abstract]
  40. Capsoni, F., F. Minonzio, C. Mariani, A. M. Ongari, P. Bonara, G. Fiorelli. 1998. Development of phagocytic function of cultured human monocytes is regulated by cell surface IL-10. Cell. Immunol. 189:51.[Medline]
  41. Fleming, S. D., P. A. Campbell. 1996. Macrophages have cell surface IL-10 that regulates macrophage bactericidal activity. J. Immunol. 156:1143.[Abstract]
  42. Yasukawa, M., Y. Yakushijin, H. Hasegawa, M. Miyake, Y. Hitsumoto, S. Kimura, N. Takeuchi, S. Fujita. 1993. Expression of perforin and membrane-bound lymphotoxin (tumor necrosis factor-{beta}) in virus-specific CD4+ human cytotoxic T-cell clones. Blood 81:1527.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Pertoft, H., B. Warmegard, M. Hook. 1978. Heterogeneity of lysosomes originating from rat liver parenchymal cells: metabolic relationship of subpopulations separated by density-gradient centrifugation. Biochem. J. 174:309.[Medline]
  44. Gruber, D. F., A. B. Laws, K. P. O’Halloran. 1990. Biochemical and physiological alterations in canine neutrophils separated by lysis or Percoll gradient isolation technologies. Immunopharmacol. Immunotoxicol. 12:93.[Medline]
  45. Tanphaichitr, N., Y. S. Zheng, M. Kates, N. Abdullah, A. Chan. 1996. Cholesterol and phospholipid levels of washed and Percoll gradient centrifuged mouse sperm: presence of lipids possessing inhibitory effects on sperm motility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 43:187.[Medline]
  46. Nielsen, H. V., P. M. Shah, P. O. Schiotz. 1998. Factors determining spontaneous histamine release from human basophils purified with Percoll gradients and Dynabeads. Allergy 53:302.[Medline]
  47. Gruber, D. F., M. M. D’Alesandro. 1988. Changes in canine neutrophil function(s) following cellular isolation by Percoll gradient centrifugation or isotonic lysis. Immunopharmacol. Immunotoxicol. 10:537.[Medline]
  48. Agostini, C., L. Trentin, M. Facco, R. Sancetta, A. Cerutti, C. Tassinari, L. Cimarosto, F. Adami, A. Cipriani, R. Zambello, G. Semenzato. 1996. Role of IL-15, IL-2, and their receptors in the development of T cell alveolitis in pulmonary sarcoidosis. J. Immunol. 157:910.[Abstract]
  49. Syme, R. M., C. J. Wood, H. Wong, C. H. Mody. 1997. Both CD4+ and CD8+ human lymphocytes are activated and proliferate in response to Cryptococcus neoformans. Immunology 92:194.[Medline]
  50. Li, X. C., G. Demirci, S. Ferrari-Lacraz, C. Groves, A. Coyle, T. R. Malek, T. B. Strom. 2001. IL-15 and IL-2: a matter of life and death for T cells in vivo. Nat. Med. 7:114.[Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
N. Lapaque, T. Walzer, S. Meresse, E. Vivier, and J. Trowsdale
Interactions between Human NK Cells and Macrophages in Response to Salmonella Infection
J. Immunol., April 1, 2009; 182(7): 4339 - 4348.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A. R. Nielsen, P. Hojman, C. Erikstrup, C. P. Fischer, P. Plomgaard, R. Mounier, O. H. Mortensen, C. Broholm, S. Taudorf, R. Krogh-Madsen, et al.
Association between Interleukin-15 and Obesity: Interleukin-15 as a Potential Regulator of Fat Mass
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2008; 93(11): 4486 - 4493.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
Y. Enose-Akahata, U. Oh, C. Grant, and S. Jacobson
Retrovirally induced CTL degranulation mediated by IL-15 expression and infection of mononuclear phagocytes in patients with HTLV-I-associated neurologic disease
Blood, September 15, 2008; 112(6): 2400 - 2410.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CVIHome page
K. U. Saikh, T. L. Kissner, S. Nystrom, G. Ruthel, and R. G. Ulrich
Interleukin-15 Increases Vaccine Efficacy through a Mechanism Linked to Dendritic Cell Maturation and Enhanced Antibody Titers
Clin. Vaccine Immunol., January 1, 2008; 15(1): 131 - 137.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
S. K. Olsen, N. Ota, S. Kishishita, M. Kukimoto-Niino, K. Murayama, H. Uchiyama, M. Toyama, T. Terada, M. Shirouzu, O. Kanagawa, et al.
Crystal Structure of the Interleukin-15{middle dot}Interleukin-15 Receptor {alpha} Complex: INSIGHTS INTO TRANS AND CIS PRESENTATION
J. Biol. Chem., December 21, 2007; 282(51): 37191 - 37204.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
A. R. Nielsen, R. Mounier, P. Plomgaard, O. H. Mortensen, M. Penkowa, T. Speerschneider, H. Pilegaard, and B. K. Pedersen
Expression of interleukin-15 in human skeletal muscle effect of exercise and muscle fibre type composition
J. Physiol., October 1, 2007; 584(1): 305 - 312.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
A. L. Zhang, P. Colmenero, U. Purath, C. Teixeira de Matos, W. Hueber, L. Klareskog, I. H. Tarner, E. G. Engleman, and K. Soderstrom
Natural killer cells trigger differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells
Blood, October 1, 2007; 110(7): 2484 - 2493.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
T. Wang, J. W. Holland, A. Carrington, J. Zou, and C. J. Secombes
Molecular and Functional Characterization of IL-15 in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: A Potent Inducer of IFN-{gamma} Expression in Spleen Leukocytes
J. Immunol., August 1, 2007; 179(3): 1475 - 1488.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
A. Wimmer, S. K. Khaldoyanidi, M. Judex, N. Serobyan, R. G. DiScipio, and I. U. Schraufstatter
CCL18/PARC stimulates hematopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures indirectly through its effect on monocytes
Blood, December 1, 2006; 108(12): 3722 - 3729.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Int ImmunolHome page
S. A. Fadel, L. G. Cowell, S. Cao, D. A. Ozaki, T. B. Kepler, D. A. Steeber, and M. Sarzotti
Neonate-primed CD8+ memory cells rival adult-primed memory cells in antigen-driven expansion and anti-viral protection
Int. Immunol., February 1, 2006; 18(2): 249 - 257.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
L. Baranda, H. de la Fuente, E. Layseca-Espinosa, D. Portales-Perez, P. Nino-Moreno, G. Valencia-Pacheco, C. Abud-Mendoza, J. Alcocer-Varela, and R. Gonzalez-Amaro
IL-15 and IL-15R in leucocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatology, December 1, 2005; 44(12): 1507 - 1513.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
M.-E. Miranda-Carus, M. Benito-Miguel, M. A. Llamas, A. Balsa, and E. Martin-Mola
Human T Cells Constitutively Express IL-15 That Promotes Ex Vivo T Cell Homeostatic Proliferation through Autocrine/Juxtacrine Loops
J. Immunol., September 15, 2005; 175(6): 3656 - 3662.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
S. P. Dubois, T. A. Waldmann, and J. R. Muller
Survival adjustment of mature dendritic cells by IL-15
PNAS, June 14, 2005; 102(24): 8662 - 8667.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Infect. Immun.Home page
R. Ing, P. Gros, and M. M. Stevenson
Interleukin-15 Enhances Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Blood-Stage Malaria Infection in Mice
Infect. Immun., May 1, 2005; 73(5): 3172 - 3177.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Int ImmunolHome page
L. Wenxin, F. Jinxiang, W. Yong, L. Wenxiang, S. Wenbiao, and Z. Xueguang
Expression of membrane-bound IL-15 by bone marrow fibroblast-like stromal cells in aplastic anemia
Int. Immunol., April 1, 2005; 17(4): 429 - 437.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
C.-S. Park, S.-O. Yoon, R. J. Armitage, and Y. S. Choi
Follicular Dendritic Cells Produce IL-15 That Enhances Germinal Center B Cell Proliferation in Membrane-Bound Form
J. Immunol., December 1, 2004; 173(11): 6676 - 6683.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
A. Ozawa, H. Tada, Y. Sugawara, A. Uehara, T. Sasano, H. Shimauchi, H. Takada, and S. Sugawara
Endogenous IL-15 Sustains Recruitment of IL-2R{beta} and Common {gamma} and IL-2-Mediated Chemokine Production in Normal and Inflamed Human Gingival Fibroblasts
J. Immunol., October 15, 2004; 173(8): 5180 - 5188.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
V. Budagian, E. Bulanova, Z. Orinska, T. Pohl, E. C. Borden, R. Silverman, and S. Bulfone-Paus
Reverse Signaling through Membrane-bound Interleukin-15
J. Biol. Chem., October 1, 2004; 279(40): 42192 - 42201.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
G. G. Neely, S. Epelman, L. L. Ma, P. Colarusso, C. J. Howlett, E. K. Amankwah, A. C. McIntyre, S. M. Robbins, and C. H. Mody
Monocyte Surface-Bound IL-15 Can Function as an Activating Receptor and Participate in Reverse Signaling
J. Immunol., April 1, 2004; 172(7): 4225 - 4234.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
R. Vankayalapati, P. Klucar, B. Wizel, S. E. Weis, B. Samten, H. Safi, H. Shams, and P. F. Barnes
NK Cells Regulate CD8+ T Cell Effector Function in Response to an Intracellular Pathogen
J. Immunol., January 1, 2004; 172(1): 130 - 137.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JEMHome page
R. Koka, P. R. Burkett, M. Chien, S. Chai, F. Chan, J. P. Lodolce, D. L. Boone, and A. Ma
Interleukin (IL)-15R{alpha}-deficient Natural Killer Cells Survive in Normal but Not IL-15R{alpha}-deficient Mice
J. Exp. Med., April 21, 2003; 197(8): 977 - 984.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
D. Briard, D. Brouty-Boye, B. Azzarone, and C. Jasmin
Fibroblasts from Human Spleen Regulate NK Cell Differentiation from Blood CD34+ Progenitors Via Cell Surface IL-15
J. Immunol., May 1, 2002; 168(9): 4326 - 4332.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Neely, G. G.
Right arrow Articles by Mody, C. H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Neely, G. G.
Right arrow Articles by Mody, C. H.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS