Therapeutic use of IL-2 to enhance antiviral T-cell responses in vivo. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Interleukin (IL)-2 is currently used to enhance T-cell immunity but can have both positive and negative effects on T cells. To determine whether these opposing results are due to IL-2 acting differently on T cells depending on their stage of differentiation, we examined the effects of IL-2 therapy during the expansion, contraction and memory phases of the T-cell response in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice. IL-2 treatment during the expansion phase was detrimental to the survival of rapidly dividing effector T cells. In contrast, IL-2 therapy was highly beneficial during the death phase, resulting in increased proliferation and survival of virus-specific T cells. IL-2 treatment also increased proliferation of resting memory T cells in mice that controlled the infection. Virus-specific T cells in chronically infected mice also responded to IL-2 resulting in decreased viral burden. Thus, timing of IL-2 administration and differentiation status of the T cell are critical parameters in designing IL-2 therapies.

publication date

  • April 14, 2003

Research

keywords

  • Interleukin-2
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
  • T-Lymphocytes

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0038025292

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nm866

PubMed ID

  • 12692546

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 9

issue

  • 5