title: Interleukin 2 production by lymphoid cells from congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice.
abstract: The ability of lymphoid cells from congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice to produce interleukin 2 (IL 2) was investigated. Spleen or lymph node cells (superficial or mesenteric) from nude mice on an N:NIH(S)II or BALB/c genetic background were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) or with irradiated allogeneic (DBA/2) spleen cells that had been depleted of T cells by treatment with monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody plus complement. After 24 hr, supernatants were harvested and assayed for their ability to support the proliferation of a cloned IL 2-dependent cytolytic T cell line. With this quantitative microassay, IL 2 production was not detectable in spleen and lymph nodes of 6-wk-old N:NIH(S)II nude mice; however, by 12 mo of age, IL 2 production increased more than 100-fold to reach levels comparable to control (nu/+) animals. Con A was more potent than alloantigen in the induction of IL 2 in either nude or control (nu/+) animals. Furthermore, differences in the genetic background of nude mice resulted in corresponding differences in both numbers of T cells (defined by monoclonal anti-Thy-1 antibody) and IL 2 production. By using negative selection with monoclonal antibodies plus complement, IL 2 production in aged nude mice was shown to depend upon a subpopulation of cells that expressed Thy-1 but not Lyt-2. These data thus demonstrate that a subpopulation of IL 2-producing cells with a Thy-1+ Lyt-2- surface phenotype can develop in the apparent absence of thymic influence.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
chemical_list: D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008222:Lymphokines; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D003208:Concanavalin A