In vivo modulation of myelin gene expression by human recombinant IL-2.

We treated adult mice with human recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and determined the expression of the genes encoding for the major central and peripheral myelin proteins. In the CNS, myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) mRNA levels were the same both in IL-2-treated and in control mice. Proteolipid protein (PLP) transcript was decreased in IL-2-treated animals when compared to controls. In the PNS, the messages for the glycoprotein P0 and for MBP were markedly increased in IL-2-treated animals when compared to controls.