Visualization of interleukin-2-like molecules in MPP(+)-lesioned rat brain.

The tissue distribution of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in normal and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+)-lesioned brains of rats was investigated. Intrastriatal administration of MPP+ caused visible damage in the vicinity of the injected region two weeks after injection. Autoradiography of the tissue section with anti-IL-2 antibodies plus trace amounts of radiolabeled IL-2 showed that the antibodies treatment elicited a selective radiolabeling of the brain tissues localized at the MPP(+)-lesioned region but not at normal cryo-sliced sections. Addition of radiolabeled IL-2 alone or normal rabbit immunoglobulins did not show any labeling effect. These autoradiographic imaging results suggest that there is an accumulation of cells bearing IL-2-like molecules at the MPP(+)-induced lesion sites.