Con A-stimulated thymocytes produce interleukin 2 after removal of Lyt-1 positive cells.
Mouse lymphocytes produce several lymphokines, including interleukin 2 (IL-2) and colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) following stimulation with T-cell mitogens. However, very little IL-2 is produced by thymocytes upon concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Strong selective inhibition of IL-2 production was observed when fresh spleen cells were mixed with Con A-activated thymocytes. Sorting of populations on the basis of antigenic phenotype showed that the cell mediating the blockage in IL-2 secretion is a large T cell expressing markers for both Lyt-1 and Lyt-2. This specific inhibition of IL-2 accumulation was not mediated by a soluble product, or by absorption on expressed IL-2 receptors on the activated thymocytes. Removal of the Lyt-1 positive cells from a thymocyte population renders it capable to produce IL-2 upon Con A stimulation, indicating a functional role of these cells.
Lindqvist
C
C
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Wigzell
H
H
Dahl
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000032:analysis; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003208:Concanavalin A