The production of T-cell growth factor (TCGF) in vivo in sheep.

Lymph and supernatants derived from efferent lymphocytes leaving the popliteal lymph nodes of sheep responding to human red cells or dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin were examined for the presence of T-cell growth factor (TCGF). Efferent cells from normal sheep, but not from antigen-stimulated sheep, were found to release low levels of TCGF when incubated in medium for 12 hr in the absence of any exogenous stimulus. High levels of TCGF were found in normal lymph and also in immune lymph collected from sheep during the first 6 hr of immune responses. There were no detectable levels of TCGF in lymph collected later in the response. The lymphokine appeared to be a single molecular species of 10,000-20,000 molecular weight as assessed by exclusion chromatography. Efferent cells expressing receptors for TCGF were found in efferent lymph during the first 12 hr of the response. The results demonstrate for the first time that TCGF is produced in vivo and that asynchrony exists between TCGF production and expression of receptors for TCGF on efferent cells released by the stimulated node. Based on the known kinetics of previously reported synergistic factors, mitogenic factors, and T-cell-replacing factors in sheep efferent lymph and their physical characteristics it was concluded that the TCGF detected in lymph is distinct from these factors.