Abstract
We investigated the in vitro effects of combining interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-2 on human lymphocytes. The combined use of these two cytokines synergistically enhanced the proliferation, cytolytic activity, and interferon-gamma production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Phenotypic analysis revealed a preferential expansion of CD56+CD3- cells and an up-regulation of IL-2 receptor-alpha expression on natural killer cells. Isolated natural killer cells showed a substantial increase in proliferation and cytotoxicity compared with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The combined use of IL-18 and IL-2 should be considered a viable strategy to induce an antitumor response in vivo.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
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Drug Synergism
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Humans
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
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Interleukin-18 / pharmacology*
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Interleukin-2 / pharmacology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
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Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
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Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Lymphocytes / immunology
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Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
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Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Up-Regulation / drug effects
Substances
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Interleukin-18
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Interleukin-2
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Receptors, Interleukin-2
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Interferon-gamma