Generation of lymphokine-activated killer cells: synergy between tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 2.

Large granular lymphocytes (LGL) can be activated by interleukin 2 (IL-2) to lymphokine-activated killers (LAK). The effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on LAK generation was investigated. TNF was found to act synergistically with low concentrations of IL-2 (0.10-0.25 ng/ml), which were ineffective by themselves in inducing LAK activity, to promote the differentiation of LGL into non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted killers. When IL-2 was used at concentrations optimal for LAK generation, TNF did not further enhance this phenomenon. Specific binding of 125I-labeled TNF to LGL was increased by IL-2 stimulation. Scatchard analysis of TNF binding revealed the existence of two classes of binding sites with markedly different affinities (Kd values of 57 and 600 pM). We also demonstrated that the IL-2/TNF synergistic induction of LAK activity did not involve either IL-1 or interferon-gamma. This IL-2/TNF synergistic effect was blocked by anti-Tac antibodies. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that IL-2/TNF selectively up-regulated Tac antigen expression on LAK precursors. Our results suggest a functional interaction between IL-2 and TNF on LAK precursors, which results in a reduction of the IL-2 concentration required for differentiation of LGL into LAK killers.