Synergy of interleukin-5 with interleukin-2 in the generation of lymphokine-activated killer-cells.

ABSTRACT

IL-5 synergies with IL-2 to produce increased LAK activity, although IL-5 alone induced little cytotoxic activity. The most dramatic synergy occurred with a suboptimal IL-2 concentration. The kinetics of LAK activity induced by IL-2 plus IL-5 were similar to those induced by IL-2. IL-5 exerted its effects during the late stage of IL-2 induced LAK generation. In the precursor phase, depletion of asialo-GM1+ cells preceding culture eliminated IL-2 plus IL-5 induced LAK activity. In the effector phase, IL-2 plus IL-5 induced LAK activity was eliminated by depletion of Thy1.2+ cells following culture.