ABSTRACT
The role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) was essential in that no natural killer (NK) activity was measurable in control cultures without IL-2, even when supplemented with any of a variety of soluble factors. To analyze the possible role of IL-2 and other soluble factors in the generation of NK cells from their precursors, the authors have cultured Bone marrow cells with IL-2. Important aspect of regulation of the activity of NK cells is the role of different cytokines in the growth and differentiation of NK cells from nonlytic precursors. The observations suggest that the cytokines may represent maturational signals for the physiological regulation of NK cell development. The combination of IL-2 with other soluble factors may result in a significant augmentation of both cytotoxic cell generation and antitumor activity. To further analyze the role of IL-2 in the generation of NK cells from less mature precursors, the authors cultured fetal liver cells with rIL-2.
