Characterization of chicken T cell growth factor

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Chicken spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested for their ability to produce T cell growth factor (interleukin 2, IL2) upon stimulation with phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A (Con A). Using a qualitative microassay, peak activity was found in 24-h supernatants of mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes. These supernatants permitted continuous growth of chicken lymphocytes for several weeks and increased the Con A response of chicken thymocytes. A quantitative probit microassay was developed and used in the further studies when appropriate. Chicken IL2 binds specifically to thymocytes and activated T cells and its action upon T blast cells cannot be blocked by cyclosporin A. The molecular weights of the two biological active peaks found by gel filtration of the native IL 2 preparation were in the range 19500-21500 and 9000-11500. A single polypeptide of molecular weight 13000 was found by gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions.