Activators of protein kinase C and 5‐azacytidine induce IL‐2 receptor expression on human T lymphocytes

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Abstract
Resting human T lymphocytes do not express receptors for interleukin‐2, but expression is rapidly induced by exposure to PHA. After maximal expression 2–3 days after stimulation, a progressive decline in receptor number is observed. Receptor expression can be augmented by reexposure to PHA. In this study we show that activators of protein kinase C including phorbol diester, phospholipase C, and the diacylglycerol congener diC8 also increase IL‐2 receptor expression. Moreover, 5‐azacytidinc, which inhibits cytosine methyltransferase, and hydroxy‐urea, which inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, also increased receptor number. These studies demonstrate that IL‐2 receptor expression can be altered in vitro, and that IL‐2 receptor number, in combination with IL‐2 secretion, may contribute to the regulation of IL‐2–dependent immune responses.