LYMPHOKINE (INTERLEUKIN 2) SECRETION AS A MEASURE OF T CELL RECOGNITION OF PARASITE ANTIGENS

Summary The secretion of the lymphokine. Interleukin 2 (IL2), from cells obtained from the lymph nodes of mice infected by the murine nematode. Nematospiroides dubius , is used an indication of T cell recognition of parasite antigens. It is demonstrated that IL2 secretion is T cell‐dependent and occurs only when the lymph node cells are cultivated in the presence of at least 5 μg/ml of a parasite antigen preparation. The presence of adherent peritoneal exudate cells from uninfected mice in the cultures is an essential requirement for lyraphokine release. This system can be used to quantitate T cell recognition of parasite antigens and to study T cell/antigen‐presenting‐cell interactions involved in the immune response to parasite infection.