EFFECT OF INTERLEUKIN-2 AND INTERLEUKIN-4 ON LYMPHOCYTES FROM PERIBRONCHIAL LYMPHATIC TISSUE

Lymphocyte activation in spleen and peribronchial lymphatic tissue (PB LT) following stimulation with T-cell mitogens and lymphokines was inv estigated in the hamster. Optimal nitrogen-induced cell proliferation was achieved after culturing for 6 days in vitro. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) did not induce DNA synthesis in resting T-ce lls from either spleen or PBLT. IL-2 or IL-4 in combination with conca navalin A promoted splenic T-cell proliferation. In contrast, in PBTL, IL-2-but not IL-4-enhanced cell proliferation (p < .001). The finding s indicate that PBLT represents an independent compartment of the immu ne system. Furthermore, in the hamster PBLT cells consist predominantl y of IL-2-responsive cells, i.e., are of the Th1 type. Immunological p athogenesis of lung injury can therefore be studied by functional anal ysis of PBTL lymphocytes.