Induction of interleukin 1 messenger RNA and translation in oocytes

Macrophages and P388D₁ murine cultured cells produce interleukin 1 (lymphocyte-activating factor) when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or other agents. Poly A⁺ RNA extracted from either type of stimulated cells and injected into Xenopus oocytes causes synthesis of material with the biologic and biochemical properties of interleukin 1. It potentiates lectin-mediated thymocyte proliferation, and it has the molecular dimensions of interleukin 1, as determined by gel exclusion chromatography. RNA from either cell type causes the synthesis of interleukin 1 with an isoelectric point of 4.8 to 5.0. RNA prepared from unstimulated macrophages or P388D₁ cells does not cause interleukin 1 production by oocytes. We conclude that the amount of interleukin 1 mRNA increases greatly after stimulation of either cell type, and oocytes carry out any modifications of the polypeptide necessary for activity. The kinetics of interleukin 1 mRNA accumulation and of interleukin 1 production by macrophages and P388D₁ cells are compared.