Recombinant interleukin 2 differentiates alloantigen-primed Lyt-2+ T cells into the activated cytotoxic state

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Abstract
The possibility of the generation of secondary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (2oCTL) activity from alloantigen primed T cells by genetically homogeneous recombinant human interleukin 2 (G‐IL2) was analyzed. Not only purified IL2 by cell culture (C‐IL2) but also G‐IL2 induced 2oCTL activity from primed T cells generated in mixed lymphocyte culture. This induction process required RNA and protein synthesis, while DNA synthesis was not relevant. In parallel to the induction of 2oCTL activity, transition of the primed cells from the resting G1a to activated G1b has taken place. 2oCTL activity was induced from nylon column‐purified primed T cells in the absence of accessory cells and also in the absence of Lyt‐1+ T cells. Interferon‐y (IFN‐γ) induction was detected during the course of activation of alloantigen‐primed T cells into the cytotoxic state. When IL2 was absorbed, IFNγ in the culture supernatant did not induce 2oCTL activity. These results suggest that the IL2 molecule possessing T cell growth factor properties shares the nature of differentiation factor in terms of the activation of alloantigen‐primed T cells into cytotoxic state. The role of IFN‐γ produced in situ for this activation process awaits further investigation.