title: Therapeutic use of IL-2 to enhance antiviral T-cell responses in vivo.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-2 is currently used to enhance T-cell immunity but can have both positive and negative effects on T cells. To determine whether these opposing results are due to IL-2 acting differently on T cells depending on their stage of differentiation, we examined the effects of IL-2 therapy during the expansion, contraction and memory phases of the T-cell response in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice. IL-2 treatment during the expansion phase was detrimental to the survival of rapidly dividing effector T cells. In contrast, IL-2 therapy was highly beneficial during the death phase, resulting in increased proliferation and survival of virus-specific T cells. IL-2 treatment also increased proliferation of resting memory T cells in mice that controlled the infection. Virus-specific T cells in chronically infected mice also responded to IL-2 resulting in decreased viral burden. Thus, timing of IL-2 administration and differentiation status of the T cell are critical parameters in designing IL-2 therapies.
authors.affiliation: Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Blattman
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grayson
authors.forename: E John
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wherry
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kaech
authors.forename: Kendall A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2