Figure 2.

IL‐2 influences Th2 cell sensitivity to GC‐induced apoptosis. A, Th2 cells cultured in 5 ng/mL of IL‐2 did not exhibit an increase in annexin V⁺ cells in response to DEX (10⁻⁶M; n = 4). B, CCRF‐CEM cells, an immortalized T‐cell line, showed an increase in annexin V⁺ cells in response to DEX (10⁻⁶M; n = 4). C, Titration of IL‐2 revealed that the proportion of Th2 cells staining positive for annexin V increased significantly with lower concentrations of IL‐2 (n = 3). D, Th2 cells cultured in low IL‐2 (1.25 ng/mL) exhibited a significant increase in apoptosis annexin V+/7AAD− cells and responded to 10‐fold less DEX (n = 3). Data are presented as mean ± standard error.*P < 0.05 vs vehicle (ie, no DEX). DEX; dexamethasone; GC, glucocorticosteroid; IL‐2, interleukin 2; Th2, T‐helper cell; V, vehicle