Interleukin-2 is present in human blood vessels and released in biologically active form by heparanase.
Immunol Cell Biol
; 90(2): 159-67, 2012 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21606942
ABSTRACT
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a multifaceted cytokine with immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive properties. Our laboratory recently demonstrated that the availability of IL-2 is regulated, in part, by association with perlecan, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Given the abundance of perlecan in blood vessels, we asked whether IL-2 is present in vessel walls. Our results indicate that IL-2 is associated with endothelial and smooth muscle cells within the human arterial wall. This IL-2 is released by heparanase, and promotes the proliferation of an IL-2-dependent cell line. Given the presence of IL-2 in human arteries, we asked whether the large vessels of IL-2-deficient mice were normal. The aortas of IL-2-deficient mice exhibited a loss of smooth muscle cells, suggesting that IL-2 may contribute to their survival. In their entirety, these results suggest a here-to-fore unrecognized role of IL-2 in vascular biology, and have significant implications for both the immune and cardiovascular systems.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Endotélio Vascular
/
Interleucina-2
/
Glucuronidase
/
Músculo Liso Vascular
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Immunol Cell Biol
Assunto da revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos