Figure 12.  Immature and mature NK cells express mRNA for Isoform 2 of the IL15Ra chain

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

IL15Ra Isoform 2

RNA was prepared from equal numbers of:

A.  CTLL2 cells

B.  ConA activated CD4 T cell blasts

C.  ConA activated CD8 T cell blasts

D.  Water

E.  Purified normal adult NK cells grown for 7 days in 20nM IL2

F.  Immature NK cells obtained by growing E14 thymocytes for 3 days in IL4 + PMA then for 3 days in IL2

G/H.  Two NK cell clones obtained following 7 days culture in 20nM IL2 of individual E14 thymocytes

that had been grown initially for 2 days in IL4 + PMA.

Conclusions

1.  Using a primer specific for the -1 exon of IL15Ra mRNA it was clear that substantial quantities of mRNA

encoding Isoform 2 of IL15Ra chains are present in NK cells [and T cells].

2.  Isoform 2 mRNA is also subject to extensive alternate splicing.