We performed experiments to analyze the possible apoptotic effect of recombinant IL-2 on neoplastic cells expressing the receptor for IL-2. YAC-1 or EL/4 tumor cells, incubated in vitro with IL-2 or with monoclonal antibodies against the alfa-chain of the IL-2 receptor, underwent to apoptosis as analyzed by reduction in nuclear size, derangement in chromatin structure and DNA fragmentation in oligonucleosomal subunits. The apoptotic phenomenon was time- and dose-dependent. Inhibition of mRNA synthesis D-act or addition of IL-4 counteracted the effect of both IL-2 and anti-IL-2/r antibodies. Both rIL-2 or anti-IL-2/r mAb determined an augmentation of phosphorilation pattern as measured by western immunoblotting, and a transient augmentation of Ca++ as evaluated by a spectrophotometrical assay.
These data suggest that stimulation of IL-2 receptor may induce an active process of cell death on neoplastic cells in vitro.
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