Alloreactive cloned T cell lines. V. Differential kinetics of IL 2, CSF, BCSF release by a cloned T amplifier cell and its variant

A noncytolytic, Thy-1⁺, Mls-responsive cloned T amplifier cell, designated L2, derived from secondary C57BL/6 anti-DBA/2 mixed leukocyte culture was found to produce IL 2 (Interleukin 2), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), and a polyclonal B cell-stimulating factor (BCSF) after alloantigenic stimulation. IL 2 activity was present transiently, with maximal levels observed 12 to 24 hr after exposure to alloantigen. Only trace amounts were present 96 hr after initiation of culture. CSF and BCSF activities were present at high levels by 24 hr and remained elevated throughout an 8-day culture period. Further evidence that the lymphokine(s) having IL 2 activity is different from those having CSF and BCSF activities was provided by L2V, a variant of L2 that did not produce IL 2. The time course of CSF and BCSF production by L2V after stimulation with alloantigen was similar to that found with L2, although IL 2 activity was not detected at any time. Since the release of lymphokines from both L2 and L2V cells could be induced by Con A in the absence of stimulating alloantigen, it is likely that the biologically active factors were produced by the cloned T cell.