IL-2 influences the balance between immunity and unresponsiveness in the picryl (TNP) contact sensitivity system by blocking the development or action of an Lyt-2+, I-J+ T suppressor cell.
Mice injected with antigen (picrylated spleen cells) intravenously fail to develop contact sensitivity. However, contact sensitivity occurs if these mice are injected with IL-2. This effect of IL-2 was reproduced in vitro by taking spleen cells 2 days after injecting antigen intravenously and culturing them with either 150 u/ml recombinant IL-2 for 2 days or by pulsing with 600-1200 u/ml IL-2 at 4 degrees C for 1 hr. After 2 days in culture these antigen-exposed cells transfer contact sensitivity to naive recipients in a 24-hr experiment. However, the ability of antigen-exposed cells, pulsed with IL-2, to transfer contact sensitivity is abolished when they are incubated with unpulsed antigen-exposed cells and as few as 1/16 of their number have a significant effect. This phenomenon is specific, as normal cell or cells from mice injected with oxazolonated cells intravenously have no effect. The suppressor cells were Thy-1+, Lyt-1-, 2+, I-J+ T cells. It was concluded that IL-2 prevents the development/action of antigen-specific T suppressor cells.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D013997:Time Factors
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D010853:Picryl Chloride