Interleukin-18 (IL-18) synergizes with IL-2 to enhance cytotoxicity, interferon-gamma production, and expansion of natural killer cells.
basic_science · Level V
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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.
Medical subject headings
- Interferon-gamma
- Interleukin-18
- Interleukin-2
- Killer Cells, Natural