Tumor-bearing Mice and Reversal following Therapy B/Rel Family Proteins in Splenic T-Cells from κ Alterations in NF

It has recently been shown that T-cell signal transduction molecules are altered in tumor-bearing mice. We have examined the expression of NF.cB/Rel family proteins in T-cells from mice bearing Renca, a munne renal carcinoma. T-cells from Renca-bearing mice expressed undetectable levels of nuclear c-Rel, NF.cB p65, and p50; however two shorter forms of p50 (p48 and p46), truncated at the M12-terminus, were present exclu sively in the nucleus and were able to bind DNA. These T-cells have reduced expression of y-interferon mRNA. In mice successfully treated with flavone 8-acetic acid and recombinant human Interleukin 2, the T-cells expressed normal levels of all three nuclear NFicB/Rel proteins. These results suggest that alterations in transcription factors may accom pany changes in signal transduction molecules in T-cells from tumor bearing animals; however, the changes are reversed with successful bio logical therapy