The dissociation of interleukin-2 production and antigen-specific helper activity by clonal analysis.

Journal article

Influenza virus immune human T-lymphocyte clones maintained in continuous culture in TCGF were analysed for helper activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The clones that functioned as helper cells in the production of specific antibody failed to release detectable amounts of IL-2. Conversely, the T cells that produced IL-2 were unable to provide either specific or non-specific helper function. These findings indicated the IL-2 is not an essential component for helper activity. However, phenotypic analysis revealed that both the functional subsets of T-cell clones expressed the helper phenotype in that they were T4+, T3+ and T11+. Nevertheless analysis with other antibodies revealed differences in that the IL-2 releasing clone showed greater staining with the anti-T-cell subset antibodies 9.3 and Leu 8, confirming that there is phenotype as well as functional heterogeneity within the helper inducer T-cell population.

Authors: Lamb, JR; Zanders, E; Feldmann, M; Lake, P; Eckels, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Immunology
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 397-405
• Publication date: 1983-11-01
• EISSN: 1365-2567
• ISSN: 0019-2805
• Language: English
• Keywords: Clone Cells; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Interleukin-2; Antibodies, Viral; T-Lymphocytes; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Antigens, Surface; Epitopes; Orthomyxoviridae; Humans