Wolf R E, Hall V C
Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130.
J Rheumatol. 1987 Oct;14(5):898-901.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and effects of thymosin fraction 5 (F5) on IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. Three patients with RA had elevated IL-2 production which was which was suppressed by F5. IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 17 other patients with RA was similar to controls and was not affected by F5. Our results are consistent with hyperproduction of IL-2 by some patients with RA which is suppressed by F5.