Abstract
BackgroundInterleukin (IL) 2 and IL15 receptor β chain (IL2/15Rβ, CD122) play critical roles in signal transduction for the biological activities of IL2 and IL15. Increased knowledge of non-mammalian IL2/15Rβ will enhance the understanding of IL2 and IL15 functions.Methology/Principal FindingsChicken IL2/15Rβ (chIL2/15Rβ) cDNA was cloned using 5′/3′-RACE. The predicted protein sequence contained 576 amino acids and typical features of the type-I cytokine receptor family. COS-7 cells transfected with chIL2/15Rβ produced proteins of approximately 75 and 62.5 kDa under normal and tunicamycin-treated conditions, respectively. The genomic structure of chIL2/15Rβ was similar to its mammalian counterparts. chIL2/15Rβ transcripts were detected in the lymphoblast cell line CU205 and in normal lymphoid organs and at moderate levels in bursa samples. Expression profiles of chIL2/15Rβ and its related cytokines and receptors were examined in ConA-stimulated splenic lymphocytes and in ceca-tonsils of Eimeria tenella-infected chickens using quantitative real-time PCR. Expression levels of chIL2/15Rβ, chIL2Rα, and chIL15Rα were generally elevated in ceca-tonsils and ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes. However, chIL2 and chIL15 expression levels were differentially regulated between the samples. chIL2 expression was upregulated in ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes, but not in ceca-tonsils. In constrast, chIL15 expression was upregulated in ceca-tonsils, but not in ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes.Conclusions/SignificanceWe identified an avian form of IL2/15Rβ and compared its gene expression pattern with those of chIL2, chIL15, chIL2Rα, and chIL15Rα. Our observations suggest that chIL15 and its receptors, including chIL2/15Rβ, play important roles in mucosal immunity to intestinal intracellular parasites such as Eimeria.
Highlights
Interleukin 2 (IL2) and IL15 play key roles in the regulation of homeostasis and function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The effects of these cytokines on target cells are mediated by their heterotrimeric receptors that consist of a specific a-subunit and two shared subunits, IL2 and IL15 receptor b (IL2/15Rb, CD122) and a common cytokine receptor c [1,2]
The highest level of homology is located in the amino acid sequence of the cytoplasmic region with approximately 50% identity and 55–61% similarity (Fig. 1C)
Using Multiple alignment and PipMaker analysis, comparison of nucleotide sequences indicated that Box 1, Box 2, S and A regions of chIL2/15Rb gene shared with 60–75% identity to their mammalian counterparts, suggesting that signaling pathways engaged by IL2/15Rb are similar between chickens and mammals
Summary
Interleukin 2 (IL2) and IL15 play key roles in the regulation of homeostasis and function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The effects of these cytokines on target cells are mediated by their heterotrimeric receptors that consist of a specific a-subunit and two shared subunits, IL2 and IL15 receptor b (IL2/15Rb, CD122) and a common cytokine receptor c (cc) [1,2]. Expression profiles of chIL2/15Rb and its related cytokines and receptors were examined in ConA-stimulated splenic lymphocytes and in ceca-tonsils of Eimeria tenella-infected chickens using quantitative real-time PCR. Expression levels of chIL2/15Rb, chIL2Ra, and chIL15Ra were generally elevated in ceca-tonsils and ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes. ChIL2 expression was upregulated in ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes, but not in ceca-tonsils. ChIL15 expression was upregulated in ceca-tonsils, but not in ConA-activated splenic lymphocytes
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