Interleukin 2 enhances cytotoxic cell function in vitro after T-cell depleted marrow transplantation.
After T-cell depleted marrow transplantation, there is a rapid recovery of cytotoxic effector cells, with activity against targets not susceptible to killing by 'resting' natural killer cells. These targets include Epstein-Barr virus transformed B cells and leukaemic cell lines. Activated killer cell function declines by 3 months after transplantation. We find that when CD3 negative effector cells are obtained from these patients and cultured in vitro with interleukin 2 there is a further enhancement of cytotoxic activity against a range of target cells in the early post-transplant period, and a restoration of high level cytotoxic activity to effector cells obtained 3 months or more after the procedure. These results may have relevance to attempts to reduce the incidence of leukaemic relapse, and EBV + ve lymphoma outgrowth after T-cell depleted BMT.
Leger
O
O
Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital, London.
Drexler
H G
HG
Reittie
J E
JE
Secker-Walker
L
L
Prentice
H G
HG
Brenner
M K
MK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007376:Interleukin-2