Interleukin 1 modulates messenger RNA levels of lymphokines and of other molecules associated with T cell activation in the T cell lymphoma LBRM33-1A5.

We have investigated the mechanism of action of IL 1 on T cell activation. For this purpose, we analyzed the content of specific messenger RNA for lymphokines and other genes that are associated with T cell activation in the murine IL 1-dependent T cell lymphoma LBRM33-1A5. Using cloned genes for IL 2, IL 3, TGF-beta, TY5, IL 2 receptor, Ly-1, c-myc, and p53 as probes in the S1 nuclease protection assay, we compared the amount of specific transcripts among total RNA prepared from unstimulated cells, IL 1 alpha or PHA-stimulated cells, and PHA plus IL 1 alpha-stimulated cells. IL 1 alpha augmented the PHA-induced accumulation of IL 2 mRNA with a magnitude comparable to the amount of IL 2 produced, suggesting that IL 1 alpha modulates IL 2 gene expression at the RNA level. Similar results were obtained with IL 3. We also observed that Ly-1 mRNA appears after PHA treatment and its accumulation was augmented by IL 1 alpha addition. On the basis of the effects of IL 1 alpha and/or PHA treatments on gene expression, we classified these genes into four groups. In all cases, IL 1 alpha seemed to affect mRNA levels quantitatively. These observations support previously described characteristics of this cytokine as a co-stimulator of T cell activation.