[Functional interaction between the tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 2 during induction of lymphokine activated killer cytotoxic activity].

TNF has a differential effect on the induction of LAK activity which is dependent on the IL-2 concentrations used for LGL stimulation. TNF was found to synergize with low concentrations of IL-2 which are normally ineffective in inducing LAK activity. When IL-2 was used at concentrations optimal for LAK generation, TNF did not further enhance the differentiation of LGL into LAK effectors. When anti-TNF was included in the 51Cr-release assay, no effect on the cytolytic activity was observed. We also demonstrate that IL-2 induced an increase of specific TNF binding to LGL.