Fig. 5

Subtoxic concentrations of H₂O₂ augment IL-1β-dependent IL-2 mRNA expression in lymphocytes. EL4-6.1 cells were incubated for 3 hr without (lane 1) or with 1000 U/ml IL-1β in the absence (lanes 2, 5) or presence of 0.5 (lane 3) or 1 mM of H₂O₂ (lane 6). Total cellular RNA was isolated and IL-2- and GAPDH-specific RT-PCR performed. IL-2 mRNA was quantitated in relation to GAPDH mRNA. Apoptosis-inducing high concentrations of H₂O₂ reduced both IL-2 and GAPDH mRNA expression, whereas subtoxic concentrations of H₂O₂ slightly increased cellular IL-2 mRNA expression. Values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments.