Age-related differential mRNA expression of T cell cytokines in NZB/NZW F1 mice

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Abstract
The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-2 receptor-alpha-chain (IL-2Rα, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in spleen cells from NZB/NZW F1 (B/W F1) mice following the stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) was examined by Northern blot analysis. Kinetic patterns of the mRNA expression after the stimulation were not different between 2-month-old and 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice. However, relative mRNA expression of IL-2 to a cytoskeletal protein, α-Tubulin was lower in 6 to 8-month-old B/W F, mice than in 2-month-old mice. Similar but not significant tendency was observed in IL-2R mRNA expression. In contrast, relative IL-4 mRNA expression in 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice was significantly higher than that in 2-month-old animals. On the other hand, no apparent change was observed in IFN-γ mRNA expression. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that there was no apparent difference in proportion of L3T4 positive T cells in spleen cells from 2 and 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice. These results suggest that mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-4 differentially changes with aging in autoimmune B/W F1 mice.