EFFECT OF BUPARVAQUONE ON THE EXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTORS IN THEILERIA-ANNULATA-INFECTED CELLS

Theileria annulata-infected cells were cultured in the presence or absence of human recombinant interleukin 2 (hrIL-2). This growth factor proved to be capable of enhancing the growth of the infected cells: its effect was marked, particularly when the cells were seeded at low densities, and it varied from cell line to cell line. The infected cells produced a factor that possessed the biological activities of IL-2, since their supernatants could enhance the proliferation of concanavalin A-stimulated (Con A) blasts. The reactivity of the parasitized cells to hrIL-2 was abolished following their treatment with the antitheilerial drug buparvaquone. In addition, the drug inhibited the binding of I-125-IL-2 to T. annulata-infected cells but failed to suppress its binding to Con A blasts. Northern blot analysis revealed that the drug had no effect on the expression of the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). Therefore, it is possible that buparvaquone interferes with the expression of the beta chain of the IL-2R. The role of IL-2 and the IL2R in the permanent proliferation of T. annulata-infected cells is discussed.