Production of interleukin 2 containing growth medium for cloning of human T lymphocytes.

Culture conditions which would enhance production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) from PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) were studied. One thousand rads. irradiation of the cells was found to alter the kinetics and to increase the production of IL-2. Addition of indomethacin or irradiated EBV-transformed B lymphocytes to the cultures, removal of adherent cells, and 18 h preincubation of the cells before PHA stimulation had an additive enhancing effect on the IL-2 production. Following these studies a simple and efficient method producing IL-2 for cloning of human T cells was developed.