Regulation of IL 2 expression in mitogen-activated murine T lymphocytes.

In mitogen-stimulated mouse spleen cells, the IL 2 gene is only transiently expressed with maximal mRNA steady state levels between 6-14 h post stimulation with Concanavalin A (Con A). This is also reflected by the kinetics of IL 2 release into culture supernatants. Con A-stimulated L3T4+ and Lyt2+ T cell subpopulations express the IL 2 gene and produce IL 2 similarly. The half-life of IL 2 mRNA is only 30 min, but can be prolonged significantly by cycloheximide. At later post stimulation times IL 2 gene transcription is reduced, as indicated by the reduced effect of cycloheximide. IL 2 gene expression is not influenced by added IL 2 or IFN-gamma.