Interleukin-9 enhances interleukin-5 receptor expression, differentiation, and survival of human eosinophils

Blood. 2000 Sep 15;96(6):2163-71.

Abstract

Interleukin-9 (IL-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. To examine the interaction between IL-9 and eosinophils, we evaluated mature peripheral blood eosinophils for their expression of the specific alpha-subunit of the IL-9 receptor (IL-9R-alpha). The expression of IL-9R-alpha by human eosinophils was detected at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry, and immunocytochemical analysis, respectively. Functional analyses demonstrated that recombinant human (rh)IL-9 inhibited in vitro peripheral blood human eosinophil apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. We then examined the role of IL-9 in eosinophil differentiation using the human cord blood CD34(+) cells and human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). The addition of IL-9 to CD34(+) cells cultured in IL-3 and IL-5 enhanced eosinophil development, and IL-9 alone induced the expression of IL-5R-alpha. IL-9 also up-regulated the IL-5R-alpha chain cell surface expression during terminal eosinophil differentiation of the HL-60 cell line. Our findings suggest that IL-9 may potentiate in vivo eosinophil function by increasing their survival and IL-5-mediated differentiation and maturation. Taken together, these results suggest a mechanism by which IL-9 potentiates airway and tissue eosinophilia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Eosinophils* / cytology
  • Eosinophils* / drug effects
  • Eosinophils* / metabolism
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-9 / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Interleukin / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Interleukin-9
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5