title: Effects of T cell growth factor/interleukin II on prothymocytes.
abstract: The present report describes evidence to show that interleukin 2 (IL-2), in addition to its well known action as a second signal in mitogenic action on mature T cells, functions as a regulator of both proliferation and maturation of immature T lymphocytes. The present experiments extend previous observations indicating that immature thymocytes (Thy1+, L3T4-, Ly2-) are a target of IL-2 action. IL-2 and thymosin fraction V but not interleukin 1 (IL-1) induce differentiation of prothymocytes (Thy1-, L3T4-, Ly2-) obtained from spleens of nude mice as measured by the acquisition of the Thy 1 marker. IL-2, but not thymosin fraction V and IL-1, modulates the proliferation of this cell population. The data indicate that IL-2 may exert a significant regulatory function in T cell ontogeny.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens