[Immunoregulation of IL-18 in mice with radiated damage].

AIM: To explore the immunoregulation of IL-18 in the mice radiated by 60Co. METHODS: 32 C57 mice were radiated by 60Co and then treated by IL-18.2 weeks later, the transformation of lymphocytes, the ability of NK cells to kill tumor cells, the subtype of T cells and the content of IgG in serum were tested. RESULTS: IL-18 increased the function of lymphocyte transformation in 60Co radiated mice, enhanced the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against tumor cells of A375, U973 and KG1, and up-regulated the amount of CD4+T cells. However, the level of IgG in the serum of the radiated mice was not regulated by IL-18. CONCLUSION: IL-18 can enhance the immune function of the mice radiated by 60Co.