Abstract
Efforts to define the activities of IL-2 have been limited to crude preparations containing mixtures of lymphokines or partially purified materials. Recombinant DNA technology has made large amounts of purified lymphokines available, including recombinant human IL-2 which was provided for these studies by Dr. Seth Rudnick of Biogen. This material contains 8.5 x 105 U of IL-2/mg protein with a single major band on SDS gels. We report significant in vitro stimulation of murine NK cell activity by IL-2 at >10 U/ml. In addition, the IL-2 supported the growth of murine IL-2-dependent cell lines, enhanced the blastogenesis of murine spleen cells, increased an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response and enhanced the generation of cytotoxic cells during mixed lymphocyte-tumor cultures. These IL-2 activities were dose dependent and sensitive to freeze thawing. The intravenous injection of IL-2 does not activate splenic or peritoneal NK cells of mice whereas the intraperitoneal injection of IL-2 preferentially activates peritoneal NK cells. The availability of human recombinant IL-2 and its capacity to stimulate mouse effector cells in vitro and in vivo will allow the preclinical assessment of the immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential of IL-2.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | no. 3215 |
| Journal | Federation Proceedings |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| State | Published - 1984 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine