A third subunit, the γ chain, of the human interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was identified, and a complementary DNA clone encoding this member of the cytokine receptor family was isolated. The γ chain is necessary for the formation of the high- and intermediate-affinity receptors, which consist of αβγ heterotrimers and βγ heterodimers, respectively. The IL-2R on murine fibroblastoid cells can be internalized after binding IL-2 only if the γ chain is present; α and β are insufficient for internalization. Thus, the γ chain is an indispensable component of the functional IL-2R.
We previously established a monoclonal antibody, TU11 mAb, which is specific for human IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain (p75) and does not inhibit IL-2-binding to IL-2R beta. Using TU11 mAb, we first demonstrated the existence of a third component, p64, of IL-2R, tentatively named the gamma chain of IL-2R. TU11 mAb precipitated not only the beta chain but also the alpha and gamma chains in the lysates of cells bearing the high-affinity IL-2R in the presence of IL-2 without any chemical crosslinker. The gamma chain was also detected in lymphoid MOLT alpha beta and MOLT beta cells, which were stably transfected with both alpha and beta cDNA, and with beta cDNA alone, respectively, but not in fibroblastoid COS alpha beta and COS beta cells, which were stably transfected with both alpha and beta cDNA, and with beta cDNA alone, respectively. Furthermore, IL-2-mediated growth signals were transduced in the lymphoid transfectant cells but not in the fibroblastoid transfectant cells, suggesting the possibility that the gamma chain along with the beta chain has an essential role in the transduction of IL-2-mediated growth signals. Using TU11 mAb, we secondly demonstrated that IL-2 rapidly induces tyrosine phosphorylation of both the beta and gamma chains in an IL-2-dose-dependent manner. The tyrosine phosphorylation of beta and gamma chains were also detected in the lymphoid transfectant cells but not in the fibroblastoid transfectant cells, indicating the correlation between tyrosine kinase activation and IL-2-mediated growth signaling. The beta chain was phosphorylated in in vitro on serine, threonine and tyrosine residues, but the gamma chain was phosphorylated in in vitro predominantly on tyrosine residues, suggesting the possibility that the gamma chain itself is a tyrosine kinase molecule.
Hemophagoytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening disorder caused by overactivation of the immune system, associated with infections, autoimmune disorders, and malignancies. The pathological hallmark of HLH is phagocytosis of blood cells and platelets by activated macrophages and histiocytes. In this report, we describe the onset of HLH in three children, aged 2, 5 and 7 years old, during the treatment of acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) with an antibiotic, piperacillin-tazobactam (PIPC-TAZ). AFBN is acute localized bacterial infection of the kidney without abscess formation. PIPC-TAZ was chosen for the treatment of AFBN, because it not only has indications for complicated urinary tract infections, but also covers most of the causative bacteria of urinary tract infections, including β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. The clinical courses of the three patients were similar, and they were treated with PIPC-TAZ and amikacin (AMK) for AFBN. Fever went down 2 to 5 days later, and AMK was discontinued by day 6. However, fever recurred on 13 to 15 days after introduction of PIPC-TAZ therapy, even though all of the patients had no signs of recurrence of AFBN. The clinical features and laboratory tests of two patients fulfilled the criteria of HLH, whereas the other patient had initiated therapy before fulfilling the criteria. Cessation of PIPC-TAZ combined with corticosteroid therapy improved clinical symptoms. HLH of our patients was probably induced by PIPC-TAZ, as judged by the timing of the onset of HLH and the positivity of the drug-lymphocyte stimulation test. In conclusion, prolonged antibiotic therapy with PIPC-TAZ could be a cause of HLH.
Abstract Four male siblings including two typical cases of DIDMOAD syndrome are described. The typical cases were aged 16 and 15, with diabetes insipidus, insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), optic atrophy, perceptive hearing loss, dilatation of the urinary tract and disturbed EEC One of the others was aged 10, with bilateral concentric limitation of the peripheral visual fields, retinal pigment degeneration and disturbed EEG, and the other was aged 6, with IDDM and perceptive hearing loss. The family history revealed complicated parental consanguinity, with some members suffering from diabetes mellitus and deafness. In our cases hereditary transmission seemed to be autosomal recessive, as previously described, and we could not find any association of this syndrome with HLA.
