Human interleukin-12 enhances interferon-gamma-producing influenza-specific memory CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Interferon (IFN)-gamma synthesis of CD45RO+ (memory) and CD45RA+ (naive) CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and the role of interleukin (IL)-12 in the regulation of human CTL functions in virus-specific immunity were investigated. After culture with influenza virus, CD45RO+ CD8+ T cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased in frequency and exhibited significant major histocompatibility complex class I-mediated CTL activity, whereas CD45RA+ CD8+ T cells did not. Influenza virus-stimulated CD45RO+ CD8+ T cells contained significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma-producing cells and IFN-gamma-specific mRNA than did CD45RA+ CD8+ T cells. Recombinant human IL-12 further enhanced CTL activity and IFN-gamma production by CD45RO+ CD8+ T cells. These data clearly show that human virus-specific CTL activity and coproduction of IFN-gamma are associated with the CD45RO+ CD8+ T cells that are modulated by the cell-mediated, immunity-inducible cytokine IL-12 in humans.