Change in interleukin 2 production by lymphocytes during maturation of young cats.
Lymphocytes from four specific-pathogen free cats were tested for their interleukin 2 activity every week beginning when the cats were 12 weeks old and ending when they were 26 weeks old. Lymphocytes from cats > or = 20 weeks old released significantly more interleukin 2 than those obtained from these cats at earlier ages when stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol myristate acetate. The change of interleukin 2 levels with maturation of young cats may represent an important difference in their level of defense to infections with various pathogens.
Lin
D S
DS
Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D007376:Interleukin-2