title: Limiting dilution analysis of interleukin-2-producing mature T cells. Interleukin 2 secretion is an exclusive property of L3T4+ lymphocytes.
abstract: Evaluation of lymphokine production by individual activated T cells is necessary to characterize their growth requirements. We have studied interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion by mature T lymphocytes using a high resolution assay system with the following characteristics: (a) a threshold of IL-2 detection 25 times lower than classic IL-2 titration; (b) the ability to discriminate between IL-2 and IL-4 activities; (c) absence of 'in situ' IL-2 absorption; (d) IL-2 production revealed at the single cell level. By this method an average of 10% of spleen cells, and 75% of L3T4+ cells were detected as producers in a concanavalin A (Con A)-dependent T cell activation system. Our results also suggest the complete restriction of IL-2 secretion to cells with this phenotype. Therefore, factors other than IL-2 must play a major role in Lyt 2+ mitogen-driven, helper-independent T cell proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Unité INSERM U 25, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandeira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008819:Mice, Nude; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007376:Interleukin-2; D003208:Concanavalin A