IL-2 secretion by soluble antigen-reactive human T-cell clones.

Human tetanus toxoid specific T-cell lines and clones capable of producing IL-2 were established. IL-2 production occurred only when the antigen-specific T cells were cultured with both tetanus toxoid antigen and an autologous, irradiated adherent cell population. The T-cell lines and clones remained strictly dependent on exogenous IL-2 for proliferation at all other times. Phenotypic characterization with monoclonal antibodies recognizing T-cell subsets revealed that the antigen-specific lines and clones bore predominantly OKT3 and OKT4 markers with essentially no OKT8 positive cells present. T-cell clones which were demonstrated to secrete IL-2 activity could also partially deplete media of IL-2 if cultured in the absence of soluble antigen and irradiated adherent cells.