Ability of isoprinosine to restore interleukin-2 production and T cell proliferation in autoimmune mice.

Autoimmune mice bearing the single autosomal recessive gene 1pr are unable to produce the T cell growth factor, interleukin-2 (IL-2). A physiological consequence of this defect is the inability of T cells from C57B1/6J-lpr/lpr mice to respond to antigen presented by macrophages. In an attempt to reverse these abnormalities, we administered the inosine containing drug isoprinosine. Injection of isoprinosine after antigen immunization restored both antigen presentation and IL-2 production.